BANGKOK (AP) — Thai prosecutors said Wednesday Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be charged with defamation of the monarchy, three months after being conditionally released for other charges.
Thaksin will not yet be charged because he had filed a request on Wednesday to postpone his initial appointment with proof that he had COVID-19, Prayuth Bejraguna, spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, said during a press conference.
The Attorney General’s Office has set a new date for Thaksin’s indictment on June 18, Prayuth said, adding that Thaksin will also be charged with violating the computer crime law.
Thaksin had been in self-imposed exile since 2008, but return to Thailand in August last year to begin serving an eight-year sentence. He was released conditionally in February from Bangkok hospital where he spent six months in prison for corruption-related offences.
Upon his return, he was transferred from prison to hospital almost immediately for health reasons, and about a week later, King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his sentence to just one year. Thaksin was granted parole due to his age – he is 74 – and poor health, leaving him free for the remainder of his one-year sentence.
His return was interpreted as part of a political deal between his Pheu Thai party and the conservative establishment – long-time rivals – to prevent the progressive Move Forward party from forming a government after its victory in the year’s general election last.
After his return, the attorney general’s office said it had restarted the investigation into whether Thaksin had violated the law banning defamation of the monarch almost nine years ago, a crime punishable by up to 15 years. years in prison.
Thaksin was initially charged in 2016 with violating the law for comments he made to journalists while in Seoul, South Korea, a year earlier, but the investigation was unsuccessful. continue only after the accusation was presented to him in person at the hospital in January. , officials said. Thaksin had denied the accusations and submitted a statement in defense.
Prosecutor’s spokesman Prayuth said there was enough evidence for the attorney general to charge Thaksin. He said prosecutors have already prepared their statement and documents to present in court next month.
Since his release, Thaksin maintained high visibility and is suspected of exercising influence within the government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. One analyst believes Thaksin’s growing influence has angered ultra-conservatives and the indictment is their response.
“It is designed to keep Thaksin under control. It keeps him on a leash. If he does not behave well, this charge may be activated and could send him to prison. It’s about restricting his movements and maneuvers and reminding him, by sort of sending him a signal, to know who is in charge and to know that he must not exceed the limits,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
News Source : apnews.com
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