Reporter in Thailand's Deep South detained by military, charged with sedition

Abdulafir Seng, a volunteer reporter for Wartani, a news outlet working in Thailand's three Deep South provinces, was arrested at his home in Pattani province on 11 February by police and military officers. He was taken to Ingkhayutthaborihan military camp, where he was detained for the next 7 days - the maximum detention period allowed by the Martial Law in force in the Deep South - without being formally charged at the time of his arrest.

Abdulafir was released on 18 February. The Area 4 Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), an internal security unit in the military, said that it took him into custody because he had posted false information on social media about a clash between officers and insurgents, and that the content of the post incited conflict and hatred against state officials. It also said that Abdulafir was released after officials “explained the correct facts” to him “and created a good, mutual understanding.”

After his release from the military camp, Abdulafir was detained again by the police and charged with sedition and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. He was later granted bail using a security of 70,000 baht, supported by the Tabung Keadilan Fund, a bail fund for people prosecuted for exercising the right to freedom of expression in the Deep South.