Thai court issues arrest warrant for anti-coup group spokesman

A military court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for former Foreign Minister Jakrapob Penkair, over alleged arms offences.

“The military court Friday night issued arrest warrants for four people, including Jakrapob, for links with war weapons seized in Thailand during the past month,” deputy national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said on Sunday.

Jakrapob has firmly rejected the accusations.

“There is simply no evidence whatsoever to connect me to the junta’s seizure of arms and I would challenge them to produce such evidence,” Jakrapob said in a statement.

“I have no involvement in any kind of ‘armed’ struggle. I believe fully in a political, social and cultural struggle secured in reality by the democratic will of the Thai people,” he said.

The warrant follows the launch of an opposition alliance against the military rule.

On May 22, the Thai army seized power and ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra following months of anti-government protests and violence in Thailand.

The army claims the takeover was necessary to restore peace after months of rallies for and against the government. The military had warned the opposition of a crackdown after the coup.