February 22, 2011
BANGKOK (AFP) - A Thai court on Tuesday released seven top leaders of the "Red Shirt" opposition protest movement on bail after nine months in detention over their roles in mass rallies in Bangkok last year.
"The court ruled to temporarily release the defendants," said a judge at the capital's Criminal Court, adding that the decision was based on new evidence presented by the defence.
They have been held on terrorism charges since the Reds' two-month-long demonstration ended in May 2010 with a deadly military crackdown, leaving about 90 people dead in clashes between protesters and armed troops.
The bail conditions include a ban on foreign travel and making any comments likely to incite unrest.
