Andy Hall indictment decision due 24th August

21 July 2015
Andy Hall indictment decision due 24th August
British migrant workers rights activist Andy Hall talks to media as he arrives for his trial at the Phra Khanong Provincial Court in Bangkok, Thailand, 02 September 2014. Photo: Narong Sangnak/EPA

The Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday adjourned until 24th August at 9am a final ruling on whether to indict Mr. Andy Hall, the Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) international affairs advisor, on charges of computer crimes and criminal defamation brought by Natural Fruit Company Ltd, according to a posting on Mr Hall’s blog on 21 July.
The charges were brought in relation to the publishing and dissemination by Finnwatch of a Finnwatch branded report on conditions at Natural Fruit Factory that the company alleged caused it damage to its reputation and financial security. Andy Hall simply researched parts of the report for Finnwatch.
This indictment decision relates only to the first of 4 criminal and civil charges brought against Andy Hall by the Natural Fruit Company Ltd. One charge of criminal defamation was dismissed by Prakanong Court in October 2014 but the dismissal has been appealed by the Attorney General and Natural Fruit. Two $14 million civil defamation cases remaining outstanding. 
The charges in this latest case for which the indictment ruling is due on 24th August carry a penalty of a maximum of 7 years imprisonment.
The Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) assists migrant workers, mostly from Myanmar and Cambodia.