31/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - Freedom of expression - EU voices concern. On Thursday 31 May, the EU stressed its “concern” for freedom of expression in Thailand after the suspended sentence of eight months' imprisonment upon the editor of the internet site prechatai.com, Chiranuch Premchaiporn, for not having deleted sufficiently quickly comments posted on her website. The comments, in 2008, were deemed offensive to the monarchy. In a press release, the EU expressed its concern about the “devastating effect” that the guilty verdict could have on freedom of expression in Thailand, while welcoming the fact that Premchaiporn had not been imprisoned. The American Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned that those responsible for the website might be prosecuted for comments that they did not write, correct or support. Google has described Premchaiporn's condemnation as a serious threat for the future of the internet. This case is one of the many legal cases involving penalisation of comments considered insulting towards the monarchy, which is protected by very stringent legislation. (CG/transl.jl)