Reuters
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A political activist arrested in Thailand for promoting satirical calendars that includes yellow geese has been sentenced to 2 years in jail for insulting King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a prison help workforce has mentioned.
Thailand’s lèse-majesté rules are some of the international’s strictest and lift consequences of as much as 15 years in jail for every perceived royal insult. Hundreds of folks were arrested or jailed below the regulation, some for so long as 43 years.
The yellow rubber duck is an emblem of an anti-government protest motion that during 2020 introduced an unparalleled bid to take a look at to reform the monarchy in Thailand, the place the king is constitutionally “enthroned in a position of revered worship.”
The activist, whose attorney asked he no longer be recognized, used to be sentenced to a few years in jail, which used to be lowered to 2 as his testimony used to be deemed helpful, in keeping with Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which has represented dozens of folks charged with lèse-majesté previously two years.
He used to be arrested in December 2020 after police raided his house and located yellow duck calendars he have been promoting on-line.
“He denies the charges because he did not produce the calendars and the contents of the calendar do not have characteristics that would violate article 112,” the attorney, Yaowalak Anuphan, advised Reuters, including his shopper used to be loose on bail and plans to enchantment.
Article 112 has, till not too long ago, been a taboo subject, off-limits for debate in Thailand, however formative years activists have began to talk about it on social media and in public, whilst some have pressed political events to make it an election marketing campaign factor this 12 months.
Human rights teams accuse government of being overzealous of their utility of the regulation, which successive governments have argued is essential to give protection to the palace. The royal family normally does no longer remark at the regulation.
