Suspects cite ignorance of the Computer Crime Act for sharing Koh Tao rape claims

“I want to ask for mercy for him as he acted out of ignorance.”

If police and officials were hoping the ‘nothing happening here’ strategy would force the media to stop reporting about Koh Tao, the opposite is happening.

Now, The Nation reports that the families of some of the 12 suspects detained for sharing content from the US-based CSI LA Facebook page, regarding a British teen’s allegations of being raped on Koh Tao, are asking for mercy and understanding. They are describing the suspects’ acts as being ignorant of the law.

The suspects from various provinces have been brought for questioning to the Koh Tao Police station. They were arrested for allegedly violating the Computer Crime Act by spreading what police described as false information from the Facebook page.

The page criticises the police investigation into the rape claim, claiming it was ineffective and too quick to come to the conclusion that the rape never happened.

The page administrator, Pramuk Anantasin, who lives in the US, also has an arrest warrant out against him.

Pornpimon Aranchote, mother of suspect Manop Pansuklert, revealed that she was really shocked and upset about her son’s arrest.

“I wish to ask for sympathy from the public, police and other figures concerned with the case, because my son was unaware of the fact that sharing the page (post) violates the law,” she said.

Deekakaew Charungklin, mother of suspect Katesophon Charungklin, told reporters that she was sorry for what had happened to her son. “I want to ask for mercy for him as he acted out of ignorance.”

Meanwhile 58 year old Kasem Yaiyana, father of Worpot Yaiyana, said he was shocked when police came to his house in Chiang Rai and told him that his son faced an arrest warrant. His son was not at the house at the time, but later surrendered and was taken to Koh Tao.

“I followed him down to Surat Thani and prepared to post bail for him as he is still a university student,” the father said.

“I am an orchard farmer and have no idea how sharing information violated the law. I, as a father, wish to request mercy for him.”

Winyat Chatmontri, secretary-general of the United Lawyers for Rights and Liberty, has arrived at Koh Tao to offer legal advice to the suspects. Deputy Tourist Police Commander Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakparn has also arrived in Koh Tao to question the suspects on the matter.

SOURCE: The Nation