A nine-judge bench of Thailand’s Constitutional Court Wednesday unanimously acquitted  Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a conflict of interest case lodged by 56 opposition leaders of the Pheu Thai Party. Pratyut was accused of violating the ethics clauses in the Constitution by overstaying in army accommodation years after his retirement as the Chief of the Royal Thai Army in 2014. Prior to the verdict, he defended his residency at the Royal Guard’s First Infantry Battalion on security reasons.

Violation of the ethics clauses results in disqualification for a ministerial post and Pratyut would have had to step down. The court held that he may continue his term in office as “he did not seek personal gains, whether directly or indirectly, nor breach ethics…therefore does not end according to the constitution”. It also accepted the army’s justification that senior officers should be allowed to stay in army housing, even after retirement, in recognition of their service.

Thailand has been witnessing violent protests challenging King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s monarchy as well as demanding democratic reforms such as fair elections and expansion of civil rights. They also call for the removal of Prime Minister Prayut, whose legitimate election to office in 2019 is also contested.

Thousands assembled in Bangkok’s suburbs to protest the court’s ruling and criticised the court for choosing to consistently rule in favour of the State over the sentiments of the people. Student leader Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak addressed the crowd:

“I propose that Thailand has no need for this constitutional court. They must all go. They have thwarted democracy far too many times. The judges are appointed by Prayut so they work for Prayut, not us the people. They no longer have legitimacy in our justice system.”

Chiwarak is currently facing contempt charges filed by officials of the Thai constitutional court for his “defamatory” speech and social media posts. The authorities have initiated action against at least 170 more people, four of whom are leaders charged with defamation charges similar to Chiwarak and fifty more are protestors charged with sedition.