Thai 'red shirt' leader gets jail sentence for defamation

BANGKOK - Thailand's Criminal Court on Wednesday handed down a two-year jail sentence to Jatuporn Prompan, a former Pheu Thai MP and leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, or "red shirts", for defamation.

The case was filed by former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who accused Jatuporn of making defamatory remarks about him in two public speeches in October 2009.

The Criminal Court found Jatuporn guilty of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison without suspension.

Jatuporn's lawyer said he would apply for bail and Jatuporn would submit the case to Appeals Court.