American seeks leniency for defaming Thai royals
Source: Agencies |
October 11, 2011, Tuesday
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HOPING for a lenient sentence, a shackled US citizen pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of defaming Thailand's royal family, a grave crime in this southeast Asian kingdom punishable by up to 15 years in jail.
Thai-born American Joe Gordon has been detained since late May for translating excerpts of a locally banned biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and posting them online.
Gordon is alleged to have committed the crimes years ago while living in the US state of Colorado, where he worked as a car salesman. The case has raised concerns about the reach of Thai law and how it is applied to both Thai nationals and foreign visitors.
"I am not fighting the case. I am pleading guilty," Gordon told three judges at a Bangkok criminal court. The 55-year-old spoke while standing in handcuffs and ankle shackles.
Judges said a verdict and sentence would be issued on November 9.
Defense lawyer Arnon Nampa earlier said Gordon had decided to plead guilty after being denied bail eight times. Before yesterday's hearing, he said: "The fact that his bail requests have been repeatedly denied, that disheartened him and made him want to plead guilty. He said he wanted the penalty to be lessened and intended to ask for a royal pardon."
Royal pardons are granted by the Thai king on special occasions, such as his birthday or the anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
Gordon has previously denied the charges.
Speaking briefly to reporters as he was escorted into the courtroom, Gordon said pleading innocent was futile. "How can I fight?" he said, adding that the justice system in Thailand is "not fair."
"I want the American government to help me because this is about freedom of expression," he said.
US diplomats have pressed Thai authorities unsuccessfully to drop the case, arguing in part that it could damage the country's tourism image and deter some from visiting.
Thai-born American Joe Gordon has been detained since late May for translating excerpts of a locally banned biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and posting them online.
Gordon is alleged to have committed the crimes years ago while living in the US state of Colorado, where he worked as a car salesman. The case has raised concerns about the reach of Thai law and how it is applied to both Thai nationals and foreign visitors.
"I am not fighting the case. I am pleading guilty," Gordon told three judges at a Bangkok criminal court. The 55-year-old spoke while standing in handcuffs and ankle shackles.
Judges said a verdict and sentence would be issued on November 9.
Defense lawyer Arnon Nampa earlier said Gordon had decided to plead guilty after being denied bail eight times. Before yesterday's hearing, he said: "The fact that his bail requests have been repeatedly denied, that disheartened him and made him want to plead guilty. He said he wanted the penalty to be lessened and intended to ask for a royal pardon."
Royal pardons are granted by the Thai king on special occasions, such as his birthday or the anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
Gordon has previously denied the charges.
Speaking briefly to reporters as he was escorted into the courtroom, Gordon said pleading innocent was futile. "How can I fight?" he said, adding that the justice system in Thailand is "not fair."
"I want the American government to help me because this is about freedom of expression," he said.
US diplomats have pressed Thai authorities unsuccessfully to drop the case, arguing in part that it could damage the country's tourism image and deter some from visiting.
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