14 suspected militants freed on bail

Fourteen suspects detained on security-related charges have been temporarily released under a bail programme initiated by the Justice Ministry.

Of the 14 men who have their first taste of freedom,  12 of them were assisted by the Justice Ministry which posted bails on their behalf from a special fund created by the ministry.  The other two were released after the public prosecution decided not to appeal against them to the Appeals Court.

Mr Banyat Wongsawang, director of the Probation Office in Narathiwat, said that the ministry had decided to post bail for 19 suspects facing security-related charges, but only nine of them have, so far, been released, and all of them are now safe with their families.

He said that families of the freed suspects had expressed their appreciation for the ministry’s bail programme and vowed to defend their cases in the court.

Mr Noppadol Nomrak, director of Yala Probation Office, said two suspects had, so far, been released under the same programme in the province.  He added that vocational training for the detained suspects had recently been introduced in order to enable them to make a living once they were set free.

There are altogether 514 suspects on security-related charges still behind held behind bars in prisons in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministy is to propose the cabinet to lift emergency decree in three southern districts where situation has been stabilized.

Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senniam who is in charge of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre told the Press in late October that emergency rule would be lifted in Waeng district of Narathiwat, Mae Larn district of Pattani and either Betong or Kabang districts of Yala.  He added that the Chularatchamontri, or the Muslim spiritual leader, would be consulted regarding the matter.