(From Reuters)
Thailand has freed a political activist after eight years in jail for insulting the country’s widely revered monarchy under its draconian royal defamation laws.
Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, also known as “Da Torpedo”, was freed on Saturday under an annual series of royal pardons, Charnchao Chaiyanukij, permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, told Reuters.
She was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison, he said.
Daranee, a key supporter of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was convicted of making defamatory comments against the monarchy during a fiery speech at a political rally in 2008.
The Criminal Court found her guilty on three counts of lese-majeste. Read More