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Thailand coup: Military says many detainees freed | Thailand coup: Military says many detainees freed |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Thailand's army says it has now released 124 people, including politicians and activists, who were taken into custody after the coup. | Thailand's army says it has now released 124 people, including politicians and activists, who were taken into custody after the coup. |
An army spokesman said a total of 253 people had been summoned. Fifty-three did not report and 76 were in custody. | An army spokesman said a total of 253 people had been summoned. Fifty-three did not report and 76 were in custody. |
Conditions for the release appear to include agreeing to avoid political activity and informing the army of travel, a BBC correspondent says. | |
Coup leaders, who took power last week, received royal endorsement on Monday. | Coup leaders, who took power last week, received royal endorsement on Monday. |
Thailand's former prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has been released but remains under some restrictions. | Thailand's former prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has been released but remains under some restrictions. |
The army also says it is releasing a group of "red-shirt" protest leaders who support the ousted government. The anti-government protest leader has already been freed. | The army also says it is releasing a group of "red-shirt" protest leaders who support the ousted government. The anti-government protest leader has already been freed. |
So far, almost all of the 124 people who the army said they had detained and released have kept a very low profile, says the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok. | So far, almost all of the 124 people who the army said they had detained and released have kept a very low profile, says the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok. |
It remains to be seen whether these "red-shirt" leaders - who support the ousted government - do the same, our correspondent adds. | |
The military seized power in Thailand on 22 May, saying it wanted to return stability after months of unrest. | |
The move followed six months of political deadlock as protesters rallied against Ms Yingluck's government. | |
At least 28 people were killed and hundreds injured during the protests. | |
On Monday a royal command approved the coup. But the military's actions in removing an elected government has drawn widespread international criticism. | |
Correspondents say there is also a degree of scepticism about the total number of people in custody provided by the military, with reports of more widespread detentions. | Correspondents say there is also a degree of scepticism about the total number of people in custody provided by the military, with reports of more widespread detentions. |
Rights groups have expressed alarm over the detentions, as well as the tight restrictions on media. | Rights groups have expressed alarm over the detentions, as well as the tight restrictions on media. |
On Monday, there were reports that internet users were briefly unable to access social media site Facebook. The country's information and technology ministry told the BBC there was a gateway problem. | On Monday, there were reports that internet users were briefly unable to access social media site Facebook. The country's information and technology ministry told the BBC there was a gateway problem. |
Experts have said that the coup is unlikely to heal highly polarised political divisions in the country. | Experts have said that the coup is unlikely to heal highly polarised political divisions in the country. |
The current deadlock dates from 2006, when the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a coup. | The current deadlock dates from 2006, when the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a coup. |
Both have strong support in rural and northern areas, propelling them to successive election wins. | Both have strong support in rural and northern areas, propelling them to successive election wins. |
However, many in the middle class and urban elite, who comprise the heart of the anti-government movement that began in November 2013, oppose them bitterly. | However, many in the middle class and urban elite, who comprise the heart of the anti-government movement that began in November 2013, oppose them bitterly. |