Thai prosecutors file formal corruption charges against ousted PM Thaksin |
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Published
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Thu, 21 Jun 2007 05:35
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BANGKOK (XFN-ASIA) - Thai prosecutors laid formal criminal corruption charges against Thaksin Shinawatra in the first case against the ousted premier to reach court since last September's coup.The charges against Thaksin and his wife Pojaman center on a controversial land purchase in 2003.Prosecutors charged them both with breaking anti-corruption laws, accusing Thaksin of illegally influencing the deal to allow Pojaman to buy the land from a government agency at a bargain price.Prosecutors read the charges before the Supreme Court, where a special panel of judges tasked with hearing political crimes will consider them.The judges said they will decide on July 10 whether to accept the case.If it goes ahead, prosecutors would be required to present Thaksin and his wife in person during the opening arguments.Thaksin has been in exile since he was ousted last year, while his wife was hospitalized in Singapore earlier this week. If the Shinawatras fail to appear, the court could throw out the case.At the end of the trial, neither side would be able to appeal the verdict.Convictions could land both Thaksin and Pojaman in prison for up to 10 years and they could each face a fine of up to 200,000 baht. Prosecutors are also seeking to have the five-hectare plot of land confiscated.afp/net
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Thaksin says he hopes to return to Thailand 