Thai protest leader Benja Apan released on conditional bail

Jailed student activist Benja Apan was granted bail today (Friday), provided that she does not participate in political activism against the monarchy and wears an ankle monitor.

The activist will be released on bail until May 22nd and is barred from taking part in political activities that could cause unrest, travelling outside the kingdom and leaving home between 6pm and 6am.

The 22-year-old has been behind bars for over three months, after being charged by police for allegedly committing lèse majesté during the demonstrations in 2020 and 2021 in which she questioned the monarchy and called for its reform.

Her bail was set at Bt100,000 for each charge.

On Thursday, another court also granted Benja unconditional bail of Bt50,000 on a contempt of court conviction, for which she was sentenced to six months in prison.

The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) expects her to be released from the Central Women’s Correctional Institution this evening. Benja is currently facing a total of six charges under Article 112 of the Criminal Code (lèse majesté) and she could face up to 90 years in prison, if tried and found guilty on all counts, according to the TLHR.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service

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