Thai court postpones 'Red Shirt' terror trial
The terrorism trial of Thai "Red Shirt" leaders in connection with deadly civil unrest in 2010 was postponed yesterday until November because some of the defendants enjoy immunity while parliament is in session.
Police said 1,000 Red Shirts, who are broadly loyal to ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, massed outside the court in a noisy demonstration of support for the 24 accused, who include five serving lawmakers.
"The court has agreed to postpone the hearing until the parliament session ends on 28 November," an unnamed judge of the Bangkok Criminal Court said, adding the trial will have to be suspended when parliament resumes in February 2013.
Two months of anti-government protests in Bangkok in April and May 2010 by the Red Shirts triggered a series of clashes between demonstrators and troops that left more than 90 people dead -- mostly civilians -- and nearly 1,900 injured.
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