Two men, who threw a hand grenade into the car park of the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court in Bangkok seven years ago, were each sentenced to 34 years and four months in prison yesterday (Friday), after they were found guilty of attempted murder, involvement in a terrorist act and criminal association.
Twelve other defendants were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
According to the indictment, Mahahin Khunthong and Yutthana Yenpinyo, along with twelve other people, were involved in a plot to stir unrest to discredit the government by bomb attacks at several locations across the country in February and March 2015.
On March 7th, 2015, Mahahin and Yutthana rode a motorcycle along Ratchadapisek Road and, upon arriving at the exit gate of the Criminal Court, Yutthana, the pillion passenger, hurled a hand grenade into the car park, which was followed by a loud explosion. The two were arrested shortly afterward.
All 14 defendants were initially tried in a military court, because the actual and alleged offences were committed when Thailand was under martial law. Their cases were transferred to the Criminal Court after martial law was lifted.
During the trial, both Mahahin and Yutthana confessed to the charges.
The court initially sentenced both of them to life, but commuted the sentence to 34 years and four months.
