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            Thai Activist Given 10 Years in Jail for Insulting King

   A Thai magazine editor has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for
   publishing articles that insulted the monarchy, the latest conviction
   under Thailand`s controversial lese majeste laws.
   Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, former editor of the Voice of the Oppressed
   magazine, says he plans to appeal the verdict handed down Wednesday by
   the Criminal Court in Bangkok.
   The conviction stems from two 2010 articles published in Somyot`s
   magazine, which has since been shut down by the government.
   Although Somyot did not write the articles, judges found he still
   violated Article 112 of Thailand`s criminal code, which calls for up to
   15 years in jail for those who insult the monarchy.
   Somyot, who supports the "Red Shirt" political movement, was arrested
   in 2011, five days after starting a campaign against Article 112.
   He also was given one additional year in prison on a separate
   defamation conviction.
   Somyot`s lawyer, Karom Poltaklang, said the verdict is too harsh, and
   that his client was only doing his job as a journalist.
   "We`re sorry we cannot prove to the court that he did not have the
   intention to insult the Thai king. But if the court ruled like this, we
   have to accept. But we will appeal."
   The decision attracted immediate condemnation from rights groups and
   other organizations around the world.
   The European Union delegation in Bangkok said the judgment "affects
   Thailand`s image as a free and democratic society" and undermines free
   speech.
   Amnesty International, which considers Somyot a prisoner of conscience,
   said the decision is a "serious setback for freedom of expression" in
   Thailand.
   Human Rights Watch said the court`s ruling "appears to be more about
   Somyot`s strong support for amending the lese majeste law than about
   any harm incurred by the monarchy."
   Thailand`s lese majeste laws are among the world`s toughest. Rights
   groups say they often are used to silence the government`s political
   opponents and are a violation of free speech.
   The country`s 84-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej is widely revered by
   Thais as a unifying figure in the politically polarized nation, and
   talks of removing the laws have proven too contentious.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-activist-given-10-years-in-jail-
   for-insulting-king/1589145.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-activist-given-10-years-in-jail-for-insulting-king/1589145.html