Human Rights Lawyer Arnon Nampa Sentenced to 2 Years and 8 Months for Lese-Majeste and Sedition
PUBLISHED: December 20, 2024
Renowned human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa has been sentenced to an additional 2 years and 8 months in prison for lese-majeste and sedition related to a speech he delivered at a 2020 protest calling for reforms to the monarchy.
This latest ruling, handed down by the Criminal Court on Thursday, adds to Nampa’s cumulative sentence, which now totals 18 years and 10 months. This marks the sixth of 14 cases against the activist.
Arnon’s legal team announced plans to appeal the recent verdict, along with other pending cases, with no final resolutions reached in any of his prior convictions.
The charges stem from a complaint regarding Arnon’s remarks made during a Harry Potter-themed rally at Democracy Monument in Bangkok on August 3, 2020.
The court found Nampa guilty under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the law concerning royal defamation, and Section 116, addressing sedition.
The ruling stated, “The defendant’s actions were a single act that violated multiple laws,” resulting in an initial sentence of 4 years for the sedition charge. However, due to his cooperation during the trial, the sentence was reduced by a third, totaling 2 years and 8 months. This conviction marks his second in December.
Since September 26, 2023, Arnon has remained in detention pending appeals against his convictions, having been denied bail 31 times.
According to recent data, nearly 2,000 individuals have faced prosecution for political participation and expression since the onset of the Free Youth protests in July 2020, with at least 275 charged under lese-majeste laws and 154 under laws addressing sedition.
