ID :
87287
Sun, 11/01/2009 - 20:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/87287
The shortlink copeid
PM: It's tough to punish all involved in BBC case
BANGKOK, Nov 1 (TNA) – Security for returned accused financial crimes fugitive Rakesh Saxena has been stepped up by Thai authorities while Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva admitted the difficulty of finding the guilty parties involved in the alleged embezzlement which led to the collapse of the Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC) in1995.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his Sunday broadcast that the difficulty of finding the guilty parties involved in the alleged embezzlement which led to the collapse of the Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC) in1995 made it less likely that all those who were involved would be prosecuted.
The official investigation and judicial action in the case have continued to the present in the case, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that investigation of the damages inflicted on BBC must begin with the judicial system.
“It must be admitted,” he said, “that it is difficult to punish those involved because it happened a long time ago. The authorities will have to perform their duties in accordance with the law”.
Asked whether the difficulty in finding those who were involved was due to the number of politicians involved in the scandal, Mr. Abhisit said elected members of his Democrat Party who have evidence dealing with the case are willing to provide information to the authorities if requested in order to speed up the investigation.
Meanwhile, Corrections Department chief Chartchai Sutthiklom said he ordered officials at Bangkok Remand Prison to closely watch Mr. Rakesh by closed-circuit television to ensure his safety, especially from his own stress.
He said it is unnecessary for police investigators to bring Mr. Rakesh when they submit their investigations to the prosecutor Monday unless the court issues a special order.
The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court on Saturday allowed police to detain the prisoner for another 12 days while police question more witnesses in the case.
Meanwhile, Director-General Tarit Pengdit of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said he believed it would have little impact legally if politicians were implicated in court by the accused Mr. Saxena unless there is solid evidence or are witnesses to back up his statement.
The BBC scandal will be handled by the police and not the DSI because the case took place before DSI was established, said Mr. Tarit. The agency could step in if there is new evidence about the case, but it is up to DSI as to whether it would accept new evidence or not.
Fugitive Indian-born ex-financier Rakesh Saxena, extradited from Canada, arrived in Bangkok late Friday and now faces charges for his alleged embezzlement. He gave scant information to police after his arrival, saying that he would rather speak in court.
In 1995, Mr Saxena, then treasury adviser of the BBC, allegedly colluded with Krirkkiat Jalichandra, then bank president, and was involved in setting up dummy loans and fabricating accounts to siphon millions from the bank, causing its collapse under US$3 billion in debts, along with nearly 60 financial institutions, leading directly to the 1997 financial crisis. (TNA)
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his Sunday broadcast that the difficulty of finding the guilty parties involved in the alleged embezzlement which led to the collapse of the Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC) in1995 made it less likely that all those who were involved would be prosecuted.
The official investigation and judicial action in the case have continued to the present in the case, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that investigation of the damages inflicted on BBC must begin with the judicial system.
“It must be admitted,” he said, “that it is difficult to punish those involved because it happened a long time ago. The authorities will have to perform their duties in accordance with the law”.
Asked whether the difficulty in finding those who were involved was due to the number of politicians involved in the scandal, Mr. Abhisit said elected members of his Democrat Party who have evidence dealing with the case are willing to provide information to the authorities if requested in order to speed up the investigation.
Meanwhile, Corrections Department chief Chartchai Sutthiklom said he ordered officials at Bangkok Remand Prison to closely watch Mr. Rakesh by closed-circuit television to ensure his safety, especially from his own stress.
He said it is unnecessary for police investigators to bring Mr. Rakesh when they submit their investigations to the prosecutor Monday unless the court issues a special order.
The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court on Saturday allowed police to detain the prisoner for another 12 days while police question more witnesses in the case.
Meanwhile, Director-General Tarit Pengdit of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said he believed it would have little impact legally if politicians were implicated in court by the accused Mr. Saxena unless there is solid evidence or are witnesses to back up his statement.
The BBC scandal will be handled by the police and not the DSI because the case took place before DSI was established, said Mr. Tarit. The agency could step in if there is new evidence about the case, but it is up to DSI as to whether it would accept new evidence or not.
Fugitive Indian-born ex-financier Rakesh Saxena, extradited from Canada, arrived in Bangkok late Friday and now faces charges for his alleged embezzlement. He gave scant information to police after his arrival, saying that he would rather speak in court.
In 1995, Mr Saxena, then treasury adviser of the BBC, allegedly colluded with Krirkkiat Jalichandra, then bank president, and was involved in setting up dummy loans and fabricating accounts to siphon millions from the bank, causing its collapse under US$3 billion in debts, along with nearly 60 financial institutions, leading directly to the 1997 financial crisis. (TNA)
