Thailand releases Naga leader from prison on bail

September 18, 2000
Web posted at: 9:01 PM HKT (1301 GMT)

BANGKOK, Thailand (Reuters) -- A leader of northeast India's Naga separatist rebels was released on bail from a Thai prison on Monday, pending an appeal against his conviction for travelling on a false passport.

Thuingaleng Muivah, head of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), was sentenced to a year in jail in February.

"Muivah has been released on 300,000 baht ($7,110) bail this afternoon," an official at the Bangkok Criminal Court told Reuters. She said he would not be allowed to leave Thailand.

The NSCN, considered the most powerful guerrilla group in the region in India, agreed in July to extend a ceasefire for another year while it tries to work out a peaceful solution with Indian authorities.

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