A Thai court sentenced Anon Nampa, an activist and attorney, to four years in prison for breaking a taboo by calling for royal reform at rallies three years ago.
Anon was also fined 20,000 Thai baht ($551) on Tuesday by Bangkok’s Criminal Court for violating an emergency order that was in effect at the time.
Anon’s attorney declared that he will challenge the judgment.
Anon led hundreds of demonstrators, largely young people, towards the government building in October 2020, when police eventually used force to disperse the crowd. He also demanded the resignation of then-Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and a new constitution.
Anon earlier admitted to Al Jazeera that he was aware that the unusual call would probably result in his detention in a nation that upholds stringent lese-majeste laws against insulting the monarchy.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family are shielded from criticism by the laws.
In the month following the protests, the monarch did a rare walkabout in Bangkok, referring to his country as the land of compromise.
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