Mahahin Khunthong (green shirt) and Yutthana Yenpinyo (black shirt) are escorted by police to the military court on March 14, 2015. (Bangkok Post file photo)
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criminal court grenade attack, contempt of court
The Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced two men to five months in jail without suspension after finding them guilty of contempt of court by throwing a hand grenade into the parking lot of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road on the night of March 7.
The two men, Mahahin Khunthong and Yutthana Yenpinyo, were taken from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Criminal Court for trial for contempt of court at the request of the director of the Office of the Criminal Court.
The two still face indictment for violating martial law and on other charges in a security-related case which is under the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Military Court.
Three witnesses testified before the court on Tuesday.
Two security guards said they were on duty at the entrance of the Criminal Court when a hand grenade was thrown into the court parking lot and exploded at about 7.45pm, but they did not see the attackers.
They learned later that two suspects were arrested in front of the Office of the Attorney General shortly after the incident.
Another witness was a court official who testified on behalf of the director of the Office of the Criminal Court.
Mr Mahahin and Mr Yutthana confessed to contempt of court after the three witnesses testified.
The court sentenced the two to five months each in prison without suspension, ruling that its was clear they had intended to cause a disturbance in showing disrespect toward a court of law.
Yutthana, 34, was apprehended along with Mahahin, also 34, shortly after they threw an RDG-5 grenade into the court's car park on March 7.
Following their arrest, warrants were issued for the arrest of 12 other suspects for involvement in the incident, and 10 of them have been arraigned.
Two others are still at large. They are Manoon Chaichana, aka Anek Sanfran, and Weerasak Towangjorn, aka Yai Pattaya, who allegedly provided the grenade to the attackers.
National police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang said last week police would work with state agencies to seek the extradition of Mr Manoon from the United States. Mr Weerasak was believed to be still in the country.
Mr Manoon, who fled a previous lese majeste charge, allegedly gave financial support for the grenade attack, according to Pol Maj Gen Chayapol Chatchaidech, Metropolitan Police Bureau's Division 6 commander.