ID :
130593
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 13:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/130593
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Lawyers of the Shinawatras, close aides report to DSI over suspicious financial transactions
BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) – Lawyers for family members of Thailand's fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his close aides on Wednesday reported to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to answer questions regarding suspicious financial transactions alleged to have funded the recent anti-government Red Shirt movement.
The eight people were the third batch out of 83 individuals and firms whose accounts were frozen under an order of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on suspicion of financing the Red Shirt protests which turned violent with grenade attacks and arson.
They are Mr Thaksin's daughter Pinthongta Shinawatra, his sisters Yingluck and Yaowaret Shinawatra, his son-in-law Bannapoj Damapong, his brother Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, personal secretary of Mr Thaksin's ex-wife anchanapa Honghern, opposition Puea Thai Bangkok MPs Karun Hosakul and Wicharn Meenchainant.
MP Wicharn was the first to arrive at DSI headquarters together with his lawyer and details of his bank accounts.
Mr Wicharn expressed confidence that he will be able to clarify the matter as nothing unusal in the transactions, adding he will return July 21 to show details of two or three more bank accounts.
Kittiporn Arunrat, Ms Pinthongta's lawyer, said he brought details of six bank accounts of his client, estimated to amount--with interest--to Bt20 billion, which have been frozen since 2007.
The lawyer argued that Ms Pinthongta cannot use even one baht from her accounts as is the case of her brother Panthongtae.
Mr Kittiporn said earlier that the Shinawatras' bank accounts were frozen under the order of the Assets Examination Committee since June 2007, followed by the verdict of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in February 2010 and the latest CRES order on April 28.
Somporn Wongsuwan, representing Ms Kanchanapa, said he came to the DSI office to ask in what regard he should clarify the case and will meet the investigators again July 21.
Mr Somporn, on Tuesday representing Pojaman Na Pombejra, added that he will bring more evidence of Mr Thaksin's ex-wife to show to the investigators July 20, adding that his client's bank accounts have also been frozen since 2007.
DSI Bureau of Financial and Banking Crime commander Col Manit Thanasanti said Mrs Yaowaret however sent a letter asking for the postponement to clarify the case to July 21, while Gen. Chaisit and MP Karun have informed the investigators that they will appear at the DSI office in the afternoon. (TNA)
The eight people were the third batch out of 83 individuals and firms whose accounts were frozen under an order of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on suspicion of financing the Red Shirt protests which turned violent with grenade attacks and arson.
They are Mr Thaksin's daughter Pinthongta Shinawatra, his sisters Yingluck and Yaowaret Shinawatra, his son-in-law Bannapoj Damapong, his brother Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, personal secretary of Mr Thaksin's ex-wife anchanapa Honghern, opposition Puea Thai Bangkok MPs Karun Hosakul and Wicharn Meenchainant.
MP Wicharn was the first to arrive at DSI headquarters together with his lawyer and details of his bank accounts.
Mr Wicharn expressed confidence that he will be able to clarify the matter as nothing unusal in the transactions, adding he will return July 21 to show details of two or three more bank accounts.
Kittiporn Arunrat, Ms Pinthongta's lawyer, said he brought details of six bank accounts of his client, estimated to amount--with interest--to Bt20 billion, which have been frozen since 2007.
The lawyer argued that Ms Pinthongta cannot use even one baht from her accounts as is the case of her brother Panthongtae.
Mr Kittiporn said earlier that the Shinawatras' bank accounts were frozen under the order of the Assets Examination Committee since June 2007, followed by the verdict of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in February 2010 and the latest CRES order on April 28.
Somporn Wongsuwan, representing Ms Kanchanapa, said he came to the DSI office to ask in what regard he should clarify the case and will meet the investigators again July 21.
Mr Somporn, on Tuesday representing Pojaman Na Pombejra, added that he will bring more evidence of Mr Thaksin's ex-wife to show to the investigators July 20, adding that his client's bank accounts have also been frozen since 2007.
DSI Bureau of Financial and Banking Crime commander Col Manit Thanasanti said Mrs Yaowaret however sent a letter asking for the postponement to clarify the case to July 21, while Gen. Chaisit and MP Karun have informed the investigators that they will appear at the DSI office in the afternoon. (TNA)
