35 years in prison because of Facebook posts!

The Dhaka Times Desk Governments of different countries now keep a close eye on Facebook. Due to offensive posts, many people have been sentenced in different countries. But so say 35 years in prison? This is what happened in Thailand.

A man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for posting pictures and videos on Facebook that "insulted" Thailand's royal family. The sentence was given by a military court in Bangkok.

The account that Waichai posted from is not his own. Allegedly, Waichai made the post from his account to endanger a former friend.

An organization called i-law monitors the Facebook accounts of Thai citizens. An i-law spokesperson said, “The court originally sentenced him to 70 years. His sentence was reduced by half because of a later guilty plea.”

In Thailand, cases involving the royal family are handled with great secrecy. Journalists were also barred from entering the military court when Waichai's verdict was read. Even Waichai's full name was not revealed there. On the same day, last Friday, another criminal court in Thailand sentenced another man to two and a half years for uploading an audio file 'insulting' to the royal family on Facebook.

Enforcement of the law has increased since Thailand's monarchical junta came to power in 2014. So far, about 100 people have been charged with such charges. According to the United Nations Human Rights Organization, the widespread application of the law in Thailand may amount to crimes against humanity.

References: www.timesnow.tv