---

The Criminal Court yesterday found red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan guilty of libel and handed down a six-month jail term suspended for two years due to it being his first conviction.

In its decision, the court reprimanded Jatuporn for making malicious remarks about Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in order to incite hatred.

Reacting to the verdict, Jatuporn said he respected the decision but would appeal it.

The case came to light in 2009 after Jatuporn gave a press interview in which he accused Abhisit, then prime minister, of inappropriate conduct during an audience with the King.

But Abhisit sued, saying Jatuporn's remark tarnished his reputation.

The court ruled Jatuporn had no justification in criticising Abhisit before verifying circumstances and facts in connection with the royal audience.

In addition to the suspended jail term, the court ordered Jatuporn to pay a Bt50,000 fine and publish a summary of the verdict.

http://www.nation...85897.html