Thai court sentences ousted premier Thaksin to two-year imprisonment; wife not guilty
Written by Writer on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
Thai court sentences ousted premier Thaksin to two-year imprisonment; wife not guilty
BANGKOK, Oct 21 (TNA) — Thailand’s Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Tuesday sentenced ousted, fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to two-years imprisonment in absentia while his wife was set free in a landmark case involving charges of irregularities in a land purchase deal.
Five of the nine judges of the court, headed by senior judge Thonglor Chomngam, ruled that Mr. Thaksin was guilty and sentenced him to two-years imprisonment, while seven of the judges ruled that his wife Mrs. Pojaman was not guilty because she was not a government official. Nonetheless, two judges objected.
Mr. Thaksin was found guilty of violating Article Article 100 and Article 122 of the National Counter Corruption Act. The law bars government officials, including prime ministers, and their spouses from involving in or having interests in contracts with the government agencies under their supervision.
The court also ruled that an arrest warrant be issued for Mr. Thaksin whom it charged of guilty of conflict of interest while the warrant imposed earlier on his wife would be waived but the arrest warrant for Mr.Thaksin is still intact.
Both the land and money amounting Bt772 million spent on buying the 33 rai (13.2 acre) parcel of land in Bangkok’s prime Ratchadapisek business area by Mrs. Pojaman will be unfrozen, according to the ruling.
The couple fled to Britain in early August after attending the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. They recently sought political asylum in the United Kingdom saying that they could not get a fair trial in Thailand.
Tuesday’s ruling was made after the Assets Examination Committee, formed after a bloodless coup on September 19, two years ago ousted Mr. Thaksin, alleged that the couple violated the National Counter Commission Act by bidding for the 33 rai of land in 2003 from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF), a unit under the Bank of Thailand, while Mr. Thaksin was in power.
The FIDF was established to bail out debt-ridden banks during the financial crisis which hit Thailand in 1997.
It was estimated that the land purchased by Mrs. Pojaman was worth three times the Bt772 million she Invested.
Mr. Thaksin is facing a string of court cases and investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power during his six years in office, His wife was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to three years in jail on July 31.
Meanwhile, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters who have been encamped in the Government House compound since late August applauded at the news, expressing their satisfaction with the court’s verdict.
The PAD leaders would discuss the verdict, protest sources said, and announce its stance and coming plans to their gathering later Tuesday evening. (TNA)
