ID :
134012
Wed, 07/21/2010 - 20:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/134012
The shortlink copeid
Court to rule whether it will hear appeal on Thaksin's Bt4.6 billion assets seizure case
BANGKOK, July 21 -- Thailand's Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will rule on August 11 whether or not to accept a petition by fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family asking to reconsider the Abhisit administration's order to seize assets valued at Bt46 billion (US$1.4 billion) of the entire Bt76.6 billion ($2.3 billion) in his frozen assets.
A full session of Supreme Court judges will take place at 9.30am on August 11 with a majority vote ruling. If the judges move to drop the petition, the case will be closed.
The nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on February 26 ordered to seize assets valued at Bt46.4 billion ($1.4 billion) of the entire Bt76.6 billion ($2.3 billion) in frozen assets of the Shinawatra family.
The highest court ruled that Mr Thaksin illegally concealed his ownership of stock in Shin Corp., the family owned telecommunications company, and abused his authority during his two terms in office, from 2001-2006 to benefit Shin Corp. business, therefore the earnings from the shares and dividends gained while Mr Thaksin was in power were assets that were illegally acquired and must be seized.
The judges said the remaining frozen assets valued at Bt30.2 billion will be returned to Mr Thaksin and his ex-wife Pojaman na Pombejra as the assets had been acquired before Mr Thaksin became prime minister in 2001.
A decision by Thailand's Supreme Court is final, but under court procedures here defence attorneys may present new evidence relating to the case.
On March 26, Mr Thaksin's lawyer, and the lawyer for Mrs Pojaman and their children Panthongthae and Pinthongta Shinawatra had filed separate appeal including documentary evidence to the court.
They also submitted a list of new witnesses and evidence for court examination. (MCOT online news)
A full session of Supreme Court judges will take place at 9.30am on August 11 with a majority vote ruling. If the judges move to drop the petition, the case will be closed.
The nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on February 26 ordered to seize assets valued at Bt46.4 billion ($1.4 billion) of the entire Bt76.6 billion ($2.3 billion) in frozen assets of the Shinawatra family.
The highest court ruled that Mr Thaksin illegally concealed his ownership of stock in Shin Corp., the family owned telecommunications company, and abused his authority during his two terms in office, from 2001-2006 to benefit Shin Corp. business, therefore the earnings from the shares and dividends gained while Mr Thaksin was in power were assets that were illegally acquired and must be seized.
The judges said the remaining frozen assets valued at Bt30.2 billion will be returned to Mr Thaksin and his ex-wife Pojaman na Pombejra as the assets had been acquired before Mr Thaksin became prime minister in 2001.
A decision by Thailand's Supreme Court is final, but under court procedures here defence attorneys may present new evidence relating to the case.
On March 26, Mr Thaksin's lawyer, and the lawyer for Mrs Pojaman and their children Panthongthae and Pinthongta Shinawatra had filed separate appeal including documentary evidence to the court.
They also submitted a list of new witnesses and evidence for court examination. (MCOT online news)
