<p>One day ahead of a court ruling on the temporary release of 3 famous pro-democracy protesters detained on royal defamation charges, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naksit.org/photos/a.559642024104300/3919357344799401/">Human Rights Lawyers Association</a> (HRLA) has urged the Office of the Judicial Commission to look into 3 questionable points which may involve the courts in political conflict.</p>

<p>The Criminal Court has once again denied bail for 7 activists detained on royal defamation charges under Section 112, one of whom is Parit Chiwarak, whose health is reported to be rapidly declining due to his hunger strike.</p>

<p>Chukiat &lsquo;Justin&rsquo; Sangwong, a leading figure in the Thai pro-democracy protests, has tested positive for Covid-19 while in detention as a suspect under the lèse majesté law, the Department of Corrections confirmed on 24 April.</p>

<p>Four people currently facing royal defamation charges and detained pending trial have been granted bail: activists Jatupat Boonpattararaksa and Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, and two other people who were previously detained at prisons in Chiang Mai.</p>

<p>Ignoring the long Songkran holidays and a new surge of Covid-19 infections, people have started to demonstrate their sympathy with the pro-democracy protesters who are in detention without being proved guilty by joining the detainees in fasting and by protesting in front of the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>Prison guards attempted last night (15 March) to take activists Jatupat &ldquo;Pai Dao Din&rdquo; Boonpattarasaksa and Panupong Jadnok out of the wing where they are being held, claiming that they needed to be tested for Covid-19, says human rights lawyer Anon Nampa in a petition filed with the Criminal Court.</p>

<p>Four protest leaders currently in detention pending trial have been denied bail for a third time after spending the past 14 days at Bangkok Remand Prison.</p>

<p>Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch concern over the bail denial of the 4 prominent activists as&nbsp;an abuse of the judicial process to silence peaceful critics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The May 18 Memorial Foundation denounces the Thai government that has consistently oppressed the pro-democracy movement of its people.</p>

<p>A crowd of around 500 gathered at the Pathumwan Skywalk yesterday evening (9 February), after the Criminal Court <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/9059">denied bail</a> for activists Parit Chiwarak, Anon Nampa, Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, and Patipan Luecha, who are being detained in prison pending trial and have been taken to the Bangkok Remand Prison.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>A spokesperson for the state prosecutor has announced that cases has been filed against Anon Nampa, Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, Patipan Luecha and Parit Chiwarak under Section 112 of the Criminal Code for giving speeches about the monarchy in protests during 2020, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/TLHR2014/status/1359038920021872645">Thai Lawyers for Human Rights</a>.</p>