ID :
58021
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 21:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/58021
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Fugitive Thaksin denies backing anti-government protest
BANGKOK, April 28 (TNA) - Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has issued a statement denying Thai government charges that he was behind public disorder earlier this month, which led to
government forces clashing with anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), his staunch supporters.
The statement, sent to media offices on behalf of Mr. Thaksin Tuesday by Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign affairs minister and close ally of the ex-premier, said he was charged unfairly by the Thai government and its mechanisms with having “supported and agreed with the violence” with an aim to achieve political goals.
Mr. Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, said in the statement that calls for democracy must be peaceful and the people fighting for democracy must refrain from using violence.
People must be patient and endure intimidation created by the government, it said.
Stressing that he would not stop demanding true democracy for Thailand, Mr. Thaksin said he is confident that people’s power would prevail on a peaceful basis.
Two local residents were thought to be shot dead by UDD protesters and some 130 government forces and protesters were wounded during the street clashes in Bangkok on April 13.
Mr. Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile as a fugitive, having fled the country rather than face judicial scrutiny and sentencing.
The Criminal Court here on April 14 issued an arrest warrant for him, charging him with illegal assembly by more than 10 people, threatening acts of violence, disrupting traffic and inciting people to break law and cause unrest. (TNA)
government forces clashing with anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), his staunch supporters.
The statement, sent to media offices on behalf of Mr. Thaksin Tuesday by Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign affairs minister and close ally of the ex-premier, said he was charged unfairly by the Thai government and its mechanisms with having “supported and agreed with the violence” with an aim to achieve political goals.
Mr. Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, said in the statement that calls for democracy must be peaceful and the people fighting for democracy must refrain from using violence.
People must be patient and endure intimidation created by the government, it said.
Stressing that he would not stop demanding true democracy for Thailand, Mr. Thaksin said he is confident that people’s power would prevail on a peaceful basis.
Two local residents were thought to be shot dead by UDD protesters and some 130 government forces and protesters were wounded during the street clashes in Bangkok on April 13.
Mr. Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile as a fugitive, having fled the country rather than face judicial scrutiny and sentencing.
The Criminal Court here on April 14 issued an arrest warrant for him, charging him with illegal assembly by more than 10 people, threatening acts of violence, disrupting traffic and inciting people to break law and cause unrest. (TNA)
