A group of students face trial in a military court in Thailand over their participation in an anti-coup rally.

While the court announced on Tuesday that the detention of the 14 university students would not be extended, it said they will have to return to the military court for trial, possibly next month.

The judge denied a police request to extend the students’ pre-trial detention for another 12 days, said defense lawyer Kritsaadang Nootjaras.

Under Thai law, people can be held in custody without formal charges for a maximum of 48 days.

The protesters, including a woman, are charged with inciting disorder and defying a ban on political gatherings.

Since toppling an elected government in the May 2014 military coup, the Thai junta has imposed sweeping curbs on civil liberties and jailed opponents.

The students were taken into custody after holding a peaceful protest at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument on June 26.

The case has triggered international calls for their release and criticism of the coup leaders’ strict controls on freedom of speech and assembly.

Last week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern about the case, urging Thai officials to drop the charges against them and set them free.

MSM/GHN/HJL