Abdulafir Seng, a volunteer reporter for the Deep South news outlet Wartani, was released on Tuesday (18 February) after 7 days in military detention. He was later arrested by the police and charged with sedition and violation of the Computer Crimes Act.

Abdulafir was detained by police and military officers on 11 February and taken to Ingkhayutthaborihan military camp in Pattani’s Nong Chik district. It was not known at the time of his arrest what he was charged with, but the Area 4 Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) claimed that they brought him to the camp to obtain information about the Computer Crimes Act and insisted that they followed human rights principles during their operation. ISOC did not say whether he was being charged or if he was taken as a witness.

Meanwhile, Wartani issued a statement calling for his release. It noted that he was arrested without being formally charged and raised concerns about the violation of freedoms of expression and information.

Wartani demanded that ISOC explain why Abdulafir was detained and ensure that he was protected under the anti-torture act. It noted that the detention of a reporter not only damages democratic principles but also people’s access to information and the ability of the press to keep the government in check.

The statement is co-signed by Chulalongkorn University’s Communication Arts Student Committee, the Duayjai Group, and four other news outlets: Prachatai, Lanner, The Isaan Record, and The Reporters.

Abdulafir was released on Tuesday (18 February) after the 7-day detention period allowed under Martial Law expired. ISOC claimed that it took him into custody because he had posted false information on social media about a clash between officers and insurgents, and that the content of the post incited conflict and hatred against state officials. It also said that Abdulafir was released after officials “explained the correct facts” to him “and created a good, mutual understanding.”

Abdulafir was immediately re-arrested by police officers and charged with sedition and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. He was later granted bail using a security of 70,000 baht, supported by the Tabung Keadilan Fund, a bail fund for people prosecuted for exercising the right to freedom of expression in the Deep South.