ID :
124466
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:29
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http://m.oananews.org//node/124466
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Thaksin lawyers appeal against terror arrest warrant
BANGKOK, May 26 (TNA) – The legal team of fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Wednesday filed an appeal to Thailand's Criminal Court seeking the withdrawal of an arrest warrant for the ex-premier on terrorism charges, saying the evidence of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has been fabricated.
The move came after the Criminal Court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for the deposed premier on terrorism charges, as earlier sought by the DSI.
Mr Thaksin stands accused of masterminding and funding the violent events of the Red Shirts which led to grenade attacks and arson in the Thai capital and provinces in the North and Northeast during the past week.
As the warrant was issued against him, Mr Thaksin issued a statement denying the accusation, saying the terrorism charges was politically motivated.
Thanadej Puangpool and Pichit Chuenban have been assigned by the former prime minister to appeal against the warrant and seek an emergency hearing regarding the case.
Opposition Puea Thai party MPs Jatuporn Prompan and Suchart Lainamngernalso turned up at the court Wednesday afternoon to witness that the ex-premier was not involved with the anti-government movement.
Mr Jatuporn, also a Red Shirt leader with outstanding arrest warrant on terrorism charges, said he came to reaffirm that the ex-premier was not engaged with terrorism and the chaos allegedly caused by Red Shirt supporters.
Mr Jatuporn said Mr Thaksin made the last address to the Red Shirt protesters via video link on April 3 which was before the enforcement of the Emergency Decree to reaffirm that he was still alive following rumours of his death.
The protest leader said the anti-government movement was carried out by the resolution of Red Shirt leaders and not the ex-premier.
The court accepted the appeal and set to rule on June 18 whether or not a hearing will be scheduled.
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said after the department’s Wednesday meeting on Mr Thaksin case that the DSI will publicise the ex-premier's arrest warrant nationwide and will seek cooperation from the Department of Immigration to arrest Mr Thaksin once he enters the kingdom.
Mr Thaksin's extradition depends on the consideration of each country, said Mr Tharit, saying it will take time for questioning the accused’s witnesses.
The DSI director-general said Thailand still considers the fugitive ex-premier to be a Thai citizen and that he is “Pol. Col Thaksin Shinawatra” although he has changed his name and has Montenegrin nationality.
Following the appeal of Mr Thaksin’s lawyer, the DSI director-general said the department has clear evidence of Mr Thaksin’s offences, saying it cannot fabricate evidence as state officials will face more severe punishment than normal people for their malfeasance.
Meanwhile, Chavanont Intarakomalsut, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, said on Wednesday that it is the duty of the attorney-general and police to bring Mr Thaksin back to face legal action in the kingdom.
Mr Chavanont said the attorney-general should consider seeking extradition of the ex-premier. If Mr Thaksin is found living in country which has no extradition treaty with Thailand, the process could be done on a reciprocal basis.
Police will have to send Mr Thaksin's arrest warrant to Paris-based Interpol, while the foreign ministry will proceed with the case through its diplomatic channels.
Mr Chavanont said he believes, with the terrorism charges, the government’s attempt to bring back the fugitive ex-premier to face legal action will be easier, as terrorism is considered an international offence which every country pays attention to.
The foreign ministry has closely monitored Mr Thaksin's moves and found that he usually stays in three or four small or emerging countries, said Mr Chavanont, who also conceded it is not easy to bring Mr Thaksin back here as his citizenship is now Montenegrin.
Deposed by a military coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin is now living in exile abroad after evading a two-year jail term for violating a law on conflict of interest regarding a controversial Bangkok prime land purchase and made frequent phone calls addressing his Red Shirt supporters during their anti-government campaigns. (TNA)
The move came after the Criminal Court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for the deposed premier on terrorism charges, as earlier sought by the DSI.
Mr Thaksin stands accused of masterminding and funding the violent events of the Red Shirts which led to grenade attacks and arson in the Thai capital and provinces in the North and Northeast during the past week.
As the warrant was issued against him, Mr Thaksin issued a statement denying the accusation, saying the terrorism charges was politically motivated.
Thanadej Puangpool and Pichit Chuenban have been assigned by the former prime minister to appeal against the warrant and seek an emergency hearing regarding the case.
Opposition Puea Thai party MPs Jatuporn Prompan and Suchart Lainamngernalso turned up at the court Wednesday afternoon to witness that the ex-premier was not involved with the anti-government movement.
Mr Jatuporn, also a Red Shirt leader with outstanding arrest warrant on terrorism charges, said he came to reaffirm that the ex-premier was not engaged with terrorism and the chaos allegedly caused by Red Shirt supporters.
Mr Jatuporn said Mr Thaksin made the last address to the Red Shirt protesters via video link on April 3 which was before the enforcement of the Emergency Decree to reaffirm that he was still alive following rumours of his death.
The protest leader said the anti-government movement was carried out by the resolution of Red Shirt leaders and not the ex-premier.
The court accepted the appeal and set to rule on June 18 whether or not a hearing will be scheduled.
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said after the department’s Wednesday meeting on Mr Thaksin case that the DSI will publicise the ex-premier's arrest warrant nationwide and will seek cooperation from the Department of Immigration to arrest Mr Thaksin once he enters the kingdom.
Mr Thaksin's extradition depends on the consideration of each country, said Mr Tharit, saying it will take time for questioning the accused’s witnesses.
The DSI director-general said Thailand still considers the fugitive ex-premier to be a Thai citizen and that he is “Pol. Col Thaksin Shinawatra” although he has changed his name and has Montenegrin nationality.
Following the appeal of Mr Thaksin’s lawyer, the DSI director-general said the department has clear evidence of Mr Thaksin’s offences, saying it cannot fabricate evidence as state officials will face more severe punishment than normal people for their malfeasance.
Meanwhile, Chavanont Intarakomalsut, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, said on Wednesday that it is the duty of the attorney-general and police to bring Mr Thaksin back to face legal action in the kingdom.
Mr Chavanont said the attorney-general should consider seeking extradition of the ex-premier. If Mr Thaksin is found living in country which has no extradition treaty with Thailand, the process could be done on a reciprocal basis.
Police will have to send Mr Thaksin's arrest warrant to Paris-based Interpol, while the foreign ministry will proceed with the case through its diplomatic channels.
Mr Chavanont said he believes, with the terrorism charges, the government’s attempt to bring back the fugitive ex-premier to face legal action will be easier, as terrorism is considered an international offence which every country pays attention to.
The foreign ministry has closely monitored Mr Thaksin's moves and found that he usually stays in three or four small or emerging countries, said Mr Chavanont, who also conceded it is not easy to bring Mr Thaksin back here as his citizenship is now Montenegrin.
Deposed by a military coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin is now living in exile abroad after evading a two-year jail term for violating a law on conflict of interest regarding a controversial Bangkok prime land purchase and made frequent phone calls addressing his Red Shirt supporters during their anti-government campaigns. (TNA)
