BANGKOK – A Thai prosecutor on Monday indicted 18 activists for their roles in anti-government rallies last year by a protest movement that has brought unprecedented challenges to the royal palace and military-dominated establishment.
The youth-led movement sprang up last year calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and reform of the powerful Thai monarchy, breaking a longstanding taboo under the country’s lese majeste law.
Those indicted included three prominent leaders charged with sedition and lese majeste during rallies in September, where tens of thousands escalated calls for monarchy reforms.
The other 15 protesters face trial for sedition and breaching a ban on public assembly.
Thailand’s lese majeste law prohibits criticism or insults against the king, and each offense is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.(Reuters)
