A court in Thailand has acquitted five anti-government protesters charged with attempted violence against the Queen.
The case stems from pro-democracy protests in 2020, when a motorcade carrying Queen Suthida was blocked by demonstrators in the capital Bangkok.
The court found the defendants had not intended to impede the royal convoy as it passed through the rally.
Thailand's constitution enshrines reverence of the monarchy, criticism of which is punishable by long jail terms.
A controversial lese majeste law forbids insulting the monarchy and is among the strictest in the world. Anyone found in breach of the law could face up to 15 years in prison.
Critics say the military-backed government uses the law to clamp down on free speech, and the United Nations has repeatedly called on Thailand to amend it.
UFACASINO
