Thai police have arrested U.S. citizen Lerpong Wichaikhammat, 54, and charged him with defaming the revered monarchy for an alleged offense dating to a four-year-old post on his blog.

Insulting the monarchy, known as “Lese Majeste”, is a serious crime in Thailand that is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Rights groups and academics have criticized the controversial law and say Thai authorities abuse it for political purposes.

The alleged offense appears to have occurred years ago, when he was living in the U.S. state of Colorado, where he spent 30 years.

Full story: VOANews.com

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