Criminal Court acquits 6 over 2015 Bangkok terror plot, cites lack of evidence
Thailand’s Criminal Court acquitted six people yesterday over a Bangkok terrorism plot in 2015. The court cited a lack of evidence. The former suspects allegedly hired someone to bomb several spots including Lumpini Park, Chatuchak MRT station, and the Criminal Court. The person they allegedly hired didn’t go through with the attacks, according to prosecutors.
The charges included running an illegal secret organisation, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and hiring others to kill. One of the suspects was acquitted of all charges except running an illegal secret organisation, which he admitted. The court sentenced him to four years in prison. Another suspect was arrested in 2015 when authorities allegedly found that she had a grenade.
Police had accused other suspects of being involved in a grenade attack against the Criminal Court in 2015. They also accused them of being involved in the 2015 bombing of Erawan Shrine near Siam Paragon.
The suspects’ defense lawyer said the court dismissed the charges because there was no evidence. There were no witnesses to support police officers’ claims, and prosecutors could not prove money transfers were linked to the alleged plot.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post | Bangkok Post | Reuters
