Court to consider Arisman's bail Wed

Arisman is expected to testify in his defence as to why he fled for more than a year before surrendering himself last week. His escape and high penalty were two critical factors for the previous rejection of his bail.

The defence on Tuesday applied for a new round of judicial review seeking the temporary release of Arisman and posted Bt4 million cash as surety.

Arisman’s wife Rapeepan Pongruangrong invoked her job status as Pheu Thai MP to guarantee her husband’s complaince with the bail conditions.

Arisman has been held in remand since Wednesday pending trial on charges related to terrorism in connection with the last year’s political disturbances. He fled to Cambodia following the May 19, 2010 ending of the redshirt rallies at Ratchaprasong Intersection.

Defence lawyer Wasuthep Sisoda said the bail application cited a threat on Arisman’s life as reason to flee and become a fugitive for more than a year.

Wasuthep said Arisman was a victim of intimidation as evidenced by a group of thugs had tried to assualt him at the Chiang Rai airport in 2009. Unidentified men had stalked him, triggering a fear for his life.

In a latest incident in May 2010, police fired tear gas canisters and smoke bombs in an attempt to arrest him inside a hotel.

The bail application, if approved, would cover three cases. The cash surety would apply to the terrorism case.