The police have reportedly sought to identify foreign diplomats who were present as observants of a sedition case against a Pheu Thai politician.
On 19 December 2017, Khaosod reported that the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) sent letters to five embassies, requesting to verify persons present at the TCSD on 13 December who claimed to be embassy representatives. The five embassies are the UK, the US, Switzerland, Australia and the EU Delegation Office.
These diplomats presented at the TCSD to observe the accusation hearing process against Sunisa Lertpakawat, a former spokesperson of the Pheu Thai party, accused of breaching the Computer Crimes Act and the sedition law.
Prachatai can identify at least two of the embassy representatives: Jarrod Weir from the EU Delegation and Andrew L. Armstrong from the US Embassy. A diplomat source has also confirmed that the five were genuine representatives from the said embassies.
A western diplomat (name withheld due to privacy concerns) who presented at TCSD last week confirmed to Prachatai that an EU representative as well as diplomats from the EU, UK, US, Norwegian, Swiss, and Australian embassies went to observe the prosecution.
"For court cases, it is common that the embassy will notify the court in advance because they may need to make sure that there is space available inside the courtroom. However, for cases at the police or prosecutor level, we do not go inside the room where the interview takes place so we usually do not send any notification," the Western diplomat said.
Sunisa is facing six accusations related to Facebook posts that criticised the military government. According to Khaosod, she will have to report to the TCSD again on 20 December to hear three more accusations against her.
Western diplomats observed Sunisa’s prosecution on 13 December (Photo from Khaosod)
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