The trial of human rights defender and media rights advocate Ms Chiranuch Premchaiporn has been postponed once again until February 2012. Chiranuch Premchaiporn charged under the Computer Crime Act in March 2010 and could face 20 years imprisonment or a fine of 1,000,000 million baht (€23,000) if found guilty.

Further Information

The trial of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the Executive Director of Prachatai, an independent news website which publishes stories about human rights and the people's movement in Thailand and South-east Asia, has been deferred. The trial is now scheduled to resume on 12, 13 and 14 February 2012 due to the severe flooding currently affecting Bangkok, which makes it difficult for the judge to commute to the court.

The hearings for the witnesses of the Public Prosecutor, which took place in September 2011, had concluded. The court will hear four witnesses for the defence when the court reconvenes.

Chiranuch Premchaiporn was the recipient of the International Women's Media Foundation “Courage in Journalism” Award in May 2011 and the Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammet Award in September 2011.

Please see the original urgent appeal and the update on the case dated 5 November 2010 and 30 August 2011 respectively.