Bangkok - Thailand's Appeals Court on Friday granted bail to Veera Musikhapong, co-leader of the opposition party which led anti-government demonstrations in
Bangkok that turned violent in April and May.
Veera had been detained along with other core leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and charged with terrorism after troops dispersed the demonstrations on May 19.
He was freed from Bangkok Remand Prison after posting bail of 6 million baht (187,000 dollars).
The Criminal Court had rejected previous bail requests from Veera and other UDD leaders, but Veera's request was granted after several witnesses, including the prime minister's Secretary General Korbsak Sabhavasutold, told the Appeals Court that Veera had never advocated violence and supported the prime minister's national reconciliation plan.
A total of 91 people were killed and more than 1,800 were injured during the April-May violence, and Bangkok and nine other provinces remain under emergency rule.
Veera, who served as chairman of the UDD until the May 19 crackdown, was the first of the group's leaders to be granted bail.
Another 19 leaders and around 400 other people who took part in the demonstrations nationwide are still being held. Several other UDD leaders have fled abroad.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who supported the UDD demonstrations financially and through speeches broadcast at the rallies, is also living abroad after fleeing a two-year jail sentence for corruption.
Under the terms of his bail, Veera is prohibited from leaving Bangkok without
court permission, attending any political gathering of five or more people or talking to the news media.
He also is required to report to the Criminal Court every 15 days.
