BANGKOK — Jailed Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan is expected to fully recover from a kidney infection in the next few days, his fellow activist said Thursday.
Prison officials announced last week that Jatuporn, who’s been jailed since October after his bail on a terrorism charge was revoked, was suffering from pyelonephritis. In a country known for poor inmate care and occasional deaths in custody, the news raised concerns among Redshirts for the leader of their movement’s umbrella organization.
Read: Redshirt Leader Imprisoned After Bail Revoked
But Redshirt activist Nattawut Saikua said Thursday that he’s been assured by officials at the Bangkok Remand Prison that his friend Jatuporn was recovering.
“He’s well now,” Nattawut said. “He will be given antibiotics during the next few days. As for other complications, none found so far.”
The activist said he’s not pleading for any privileges on Jatuporn’s behalf, but merely urging prison officials to respect his rights and provide him with adequate medical care.
Nattawut also called on the warden to recognize Jatuporn’s status as a suspect in an ongoing criminal trial, and not a convict.
Jatuporn is the chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, a movement loyal to fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his political dynasty.
Jatuporn was sent to prison three months ago after the court ruled he violated the conditions of his bail by “inciting unrest” in the country in his televised speeches. The charge was filed over six years ago by the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva in response to street protests Jatuporn helped organize in 2010.
Those protests, which called to demand Abhisit step down and hold fresh elections, ended in a bloody military crackdown and acts of arson by some protesters.
