ID :
60799
Fri, 05/15/2009 - 20:18
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/60799
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Thaksin refutes lese majeste charge
BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - Ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued a statement denying a police accusation that he had committed lese majeste in recent foreign media interviews asking for His Majesty the King's intervention in April's riots in the capital Bangkok.
The statement distributed to the local media here through Mr. Thaksin's former legal advisor, Noppadol Pattama, reaffirmed that he is loyal to Their Majesties the King and Queen and has no intention to offend the monarchy.
"I was really disheartened after learning about it. The accusation is very serious and not true. I don't want to see any destruction against political opponent through unfounded accusation. It is unfortunate that this smearing campaign is neverending," said the statement.
Thaksin also stated that he wanted to see national reconciliation, but vowed to fight to the end to prove his innocence.
Senior Thai police officers on Thursday decided to file lese majeste charges against the former prime minister on Friday, according to Special Branch Police chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Theeradej Rodpothong.
He said police officers concluded the interviews given by Mr. Thaksin to foreign media on April 12 and 13 were deemed offensive to the revered Thai monarch.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has earlier submitted extradition requests through diplomatic channels to the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua to facilitate the forced repatriation of Mr. Thaksin who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006.
Mr. Thaksin was earlier convicted and given a two-year jail term after he was found guilty of involvement in a Ratchadapisek land deal. He is now living in exile and reportedly spends most of his time in Dubai after his visa was rejected by the United Kingdom. (TNA)
The statement distributed to the local media here through Mr. Thaksin's former legal advisor, Noppadol Pattama, reaffirmed that he is loyal to Their Majesties the King and Queen and has no intention to offend the monarchy.
"I was really disheartened after learning about it. The accusation is very serious and not true. I don't want to see any destruction against political opponent through unfounded accusation. It is unfortunate that this smearing campaign is neverending," said the statement.
Thaksin also stated that he wanted to see national reconciliation, but vowed to fight to the end to prove his innocence.
Senior Thai police officers on Thursday decided to file lese majeste charges against the former prime minister on Friday, according to Special Branch Police chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Theeradej Rodpothong.
He said police officers concluded the interviews given by Mr. Thaksin to foreign media on April 12 and 13 were deemed offensive to the revered Thai monarch.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has earlier submitted extradition requests through diplomatic channels to the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua to facilitate the forced repatriation of Mr. Thaksin who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006.
Mr. Thaksin was earlier convicted and given a two-year jail term after he was found guilty of involvement in a Ratchadapisek land deal. He is now living in exile and reportedly spends most of his time in Dubai after his visa was rejected by the United Kingdom. (TNA)
