[vNZsk39B]

The most expensive bananas in Thailand
www.eurekastreet.com.au
Harry Nicolaides June 09, 2009

Despite the best efforts of his jailers, Behnam Moafi, an Iranian-Swede born in Tehran in 1968, refuses to die.

He is serving a 22-year sentence in a Thai prison for extortion, blackmail and armed robbery — a crime, according to Fair Trials International, he did not commit.

After eight years of abuse, torture, hunger, solitary confinement, malnutrition, illness and conditions that would push lesser men into insanity, Benny, as he is known to the inmates of Klong Prem Prison, has earned a Thai law degree and learned to play a traditional Thai musical instrument. Preparing his own cases, he has also launched over 130 legal actions against prison officials, police officers and lawyers.

Through several changes of government, a political coup d'état, and great social upheaval, Benny has learned a great deal about Thailand. Indeed many of its dissidents, former leaders and ruling elite have ended up in his prison cell.

This month, he lodged a request to have his case re-heard, taking advantage of an obscure loophole in the Thai penal code that allows for this type of review only once in ten years.

Benny has faced far worse odds and has nothing to lose. However, if the ruling is handed down in his favour, several officers of Thailand's revered judiciary, senior government bureaucrats and the Bangkok-based, foreign chanceries of several different countries will be shamed before the world community.

Continued with pictures: http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=14170

[VipInoLo]

So were has Fair Trials International got the evidence that this man is innocent, maybe no one knows if he is guilty or innocent, but just the trial was not conducted to acceptable proof or corruption may be involved. Lets a guilty man out and society will suffer, leave an innocent man in and that's unacceptable.

[Ubgvuncd]

It's a terrible ordeal that man has been through if he is indeed innocent.

The detail that caught my eye was that he has obtained a Thai Law degree.

I wasn't aware that it was possible for a foreigner to obtain a degree in Thai law and practice within Thailand.

[TOD4wDTQ]

I wasn't aware that it was possible for a foreigner to obtain a degree in Thai law and practice within Thailand.

I dont see why you wouldnt be able to get a degree, but only Thai nationals can get the licence to be lawyers.

[vNZsk39B]

I don't believe he is allowed to practice as it is a restricted occupation. Plus, it is doubtful he will be able to apply for a work permit! However, he can get someone to work on his behalf.

Nice to see Harry Nicolaides campaigning on the behalf of the forgotten people in Thai prisons. Maybe he could write a piece on Viktor Bout too, who I believe he also met while in prison.