A court in Thailand on Thursday jailed an American for two-and-a-half years for insulting the king, drawing a protest from the United States, which said he was exercising his right to free speech.

The case of Thai-born Joe Wichai Commart Gordon — who appeared in court in shackles — is one of a series under the kingdom’s strict lese majeste laws, which rights campaigners say are used to stifle freedom of expression.

Read more: Bangkok Post