elef Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 The Nation Today Link Swiss man jailed for 10 years for lese majeste CHIANG MAI - A Swiss man was jailed for 10 years Thursday on charges of insulting His Majesty the King by vandalising His portraits during a drunken spree. Oliver Jufer, 57, had pleaded guilty to five counts of lese majeste -- the crime of offending the dignity of a sovereign -- for defacing several portraits of His Majesty with spray paint in the northern city of Chiang Mai. He had faced up to 75 years in prison, but the court sentenced him to 20 years and then halved the term because Jufer had confessed. "The court has punished him for insulting the King. This is a serious crime, and he was sentenced to four years for each of five counts, for a total of 20 years," judge Pitsanu Tanbuakli said. "Because he confessed, the court has reduced his sentence to 10 years," he said. Jufer's court-appointed lawyer did not attend the sentencing, and Jufer said nothing as he entered or left the court. Prosecutors declined to comment on the case. Agence France-Presse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 I assume this trial was in the criminal court nesr the 'King's home' palace. Hard to believe such justice is still handled out, but it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted March 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 You can expect a royal pardon in a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 << Jufer's court-appointed lawyer did not attend the sentencing >> Sounds typical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 Anyone who is disrespectful to His Majesty the King in this country is asking for trouble. Willfully damaging his portrait is going to bring jail time and plenty of it and people who don't find out about this sort of thing before coming to Thailand get no sympathy from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 i hope he get free on King's soon 80th Birthday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 Seems kind of hypocritical that he'd get a pardon in a few months anyway. If it's as serious offence as is made out, then why don't they carry through on the punishment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 HM has stated he does not approved of the law. And he is the one who pardons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 The Swiss guy will have a few sleepless nights between now and HM the Kings soon 80th birthday though. Som nom nar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 Anyone who is disrespectful to His Majesty the King in this country is asking for trouble. Willfully damaging his portrait is going to bring jail time and plenty of it and people who don't find out about this sort of thing before coming to Thailand get no sympathy from me. 10 years! ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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