Uncertainty hovers over Yingluck verdict tomorrow

[webfact]

Uncertainty hovers over Yingluck verdict tomorrow

By POLITICAL NEWS DESK 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Questions raised whether Court will postpone reading again as ex-pm not expected to appear.
 

ALL EYES will be on the Supreme Court tomorrow when it is set to deliver a verdict on fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is accused of negligence in preventing corruption and irregularities in her government’s controversial rice-pledging scheme. 

 

Yingluck apparently pulled off a dramatic escape a day or two before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders was to deliver its verdict in the case on August 25. 

 

The reading of the verdict was subsequently rescheduled for tomorrow. If found guilty, Yingluck could face up to 10 years in jail and a lifetime ban from politics.

However, just days before the scheduled date, questions have been raised about whether the court will actually read the verdict. 

 

Article 32, the current criminal law regarding politicians, states that the court can read a verdict in absentia. 

 

In the current circumstances, in which a defendant has failed to appear to hear a verdict, courts are instructed to postpone the judgment for a month and issue an arrest warrant. Unless officials produce the defendant before the deadline, the court can read the verdict in absentia. 

 

But there are different interpretations of Article 32 and whether the court must read the verdict in absentia on the rescheduled date or is empowered to order a further delay.

 

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he doubted whether the court would read the verdict, adding that the law stipulated the reading take place in the presence of the defendant, which suggested that the court could choose not to read the verdict tomorrow.

 

 

Government legal expert Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said last month the court could postpone the reading.

 

However, a legal expert and a former judge interviewed by The Nation, both of whom asked not to be named, insisted that the verdict would be delivered on the specified date. 

 

One of two possible scenarios is that the verdict could be read in the defendant’s absence but the prosecution must appear before the court. 

 

Another scenario is that the court could suspend the reading if neither the prosecution nor defendant show up at court, but the verdict would still be issued and made available to the prosecution and defendant. The court would also release the ruling to the public while the media could request further information about the judgment. 

 

If the verdict is read tomorrow, Yingluck will be able to decide what she will do next, a high-ranking party official from her Pheu Thai Party told The Nation, adding that she might reappear in public to present her side of the case to her supporters. 

 

However, if the court postpones the reading, the situation would still be ambiguous, he said. 

 

“A postponement might mean there could be ‘bargaining’,” he said.

 

If the verdict is read as scheduled, the penalty will probably be harsh given the sentence for Yingluck’s former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, who was sentenced for 42 years in jail, the official said.

 

“This would put Yingluck in a difficult situation as her legal status would be changed from defendant to convicted person,” he said. 

 

“In my point of view, it would be better for Yingluck if the verdict is read tomorrow because she can decide her future, including seeking asylum,” he said.

 

Abhisit also said the postponement of the reading could affect how Yingluck approaches an appeal after the new law governing criminal procedures against political office holders receives royal approval. If the new law were promulgated before the verdict, Yingluck would be allowed to appeal.

 

The new legislation stipulates that corruption cases do not have a statute of limitations, meaning a convicted person would remain a fugitive in perpetuity. 

 

Abhisit also agreed with many commentators that Yingluck was unlikely to show up at court tomorrow to hear the verdict.

 

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party caretaker secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai told The Nation that Yingluck had fought the case as hard as she could.

 

“She tried to fight like a lioness and did whatever she could,” he said.

 

After her closing statements on August 1, Yingluck had an opportunity to fully consider the consequences both of a verdict and fleeing, he said. 

 

Phumtham also admitted Yingluck’s flight had been a loss for his party, adding that it had to live with the consequences.

 

“We have been through several storms and lost valued people, but we can stay strong because of the unity of our members and public support,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, government intelligence sources have estimated that 300 to 400 supporters would travel to the Supreme Court tomorrow to provide moral support for Yingluck even though they did not expect to see her.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30327667

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-09-26

[Samui Bodoh]

 

I think the most interesting thing about this story is the very large photo of Abhisit; it is bigger than Yingluck's photo.

 

It looks like the Nation wants him to be appointed PM again. 

[ukrules]

Quote

Meanwhile, government intelligence sources.......

 

LOL

Edited September 25, 2017 by ukrules

[choff56]

It's a lose lose situation for the repressive military junta and the corrupt Thai judicial system. The government has nothing to gain by reading this very controversial verdict tomorrow.

[steven100]

guilty as charged your honor ....  on all counts  !

[Samui Bodoh]

3 minutes ago, steven100 said:

guilty as charged your honor ....  on all counts  !

 

As the old saying goes...

 

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

 

Methinks we will be waiting a looooooong time...

[quadperfect]

The reason i think they wont read the verdict and  postpone is because thailand always postpones.

Not 1 single thing in this country gets done as said.

There are always circumstances beyond controll here.

 

[LannaGuy]

Obviously politics at play, at every turn, and now even in whether the verdict will be read!  everyone and their dog knows knows it's ALL politics and here we have Abhisit departing his 'wisdom' this morning.  Long way to run and her obvious innocence, as the democratically elected PM, is pretty clear for all to see. 

Edited September 25, 2017 by LannaGuy

[JAG]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

I think the most interesting thing about this story is the very large photo of Abhisit; it is bigger than Yingluck's photo.

 

It looks like the Nation wants him to be appointed PM again. 

They probably do.

He probably will be.

He is the most presentable face for Thailand's junta.

And if I can paraphrase Marx (relax, Groucho not Karl), if you don't like this face I have others...

[NCC1701A]

“A postponement might mean there could be ‘bargaining’,” he said.

 

[gk10002000]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

As the old saying goes...

 

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

 

Methinks we will be waiting a looooooong time...

ya.  the court can read the verdict in absentia.  The article pretty much said "can" several times.  That is far from meaning must or will.  heck, the court is ruled by the military so whatever is in writing is irrelevant anyway.  They will order whatever they want.  It will be interesting thought I don't think particularly important to see what happens.

[klauskunkel]

to read or not to read, that is the question...

and the answer is: the court will do what the military wants the court to do.

There. Such a long speculative article, now reduced to two sentences.

[Artisi]

Who cares, the more Shinawatra's out of the country and circulation the better. 

[Currumbin]

2 hours ago, choff56 said:

It's a lose lose situation for the repressive military junta and the corrupt Thai judicial system. The government has nothing to gain by reading this very controversial verdict tomorrow.

She'll be there, no sweat.

[mikebell]

2 hours ago, quadperfect said:

The reason i think they wont read the verdict and  postpone is because thailand always postpones.

Not 1 single thing in this country gets done as said.

There are always circumstances beyond controll here.

 

Particularly in Thai Justice sector where there are layers upon layers of appeals and counter suing.  Small wonder that those who can afford lawyers, never go to jail.

[Get Real]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

government intelligence sources

It´s a fact! Now everybody can see that Thai media can make a good joke.

[JAG]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

Who cares, the more Shinawatra's out of the country and circulation the better. 

Well, perhaps quite a lot of the 15,744,140 or so people who voted for her at the 2011 general election retain a modicum of interest...

 

Incidentally, anyone care to mention how many people voted for the present incumbent?

Perhaps not....

[gk10002000]

where are the paparazzi!?  Surely they can track down an on the run ex PM from a country that was taken over in a military coup!  There's got to be some money in snapping some photos of such a thing!  Maybe a hot bikini pic?  She is a pretty woman

Edited September 26, 2017 by gk10002000
add

[Eric Loh]

I think she will turn up. If not guilty, she will have the last laugh. If guilty, she will appeal and then flee. Still the money on the court to postpone the verdict till after the funeral. 

[rixalex]

7 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

If not guilty, she will have the last laugh.

Not sure what there would be to laugh about having completely unnecessarily shown the world what a spineless coward you are in needlessly going on the run, and leaving a son behind to boot.

[LannaGuy]

4 minutes ago, rixalex said:

Not sure what there would be to laugh about having completely unnecessarily shown the world what a spineless coward you are in needlessly going on the run, and leaving a son behind to boot.

 

Wow talk about twisting history!  to most in Thailand she's a heroine of democracy who was hounded by the MILITARY Junta and had to escape lest the CCTV was under 'maintenance' again. Are you living in an 'alternate' universe?

[rixalex]

2 minutes ago, LannaGuy said:

 

Wow talk about twisting history!  to most in Thailand she's a heroine of democracy who was hounded by the MILITARY Junta and had to escape lest the CCTV was under 'maintenance' again. Are you living in an 'alternate' universe?

Who put you in charge of speaking for "most in Thailand"?

 

"Heroine of democracy"?! Deary me.

[LannaGuy]

Just now, rixalex said:

Who put you in charge of speaking for "most in Thailand"?

 

"Heroine of democracy"?! Deary me.

 

Have an election (a free one) and find out!  but that's not likely to happen is it

 

I also didn't know you spoke for the 'world' in declaring Yingluck a 'spineless coward'  

[Eric Loh]

8 minutes ago, rixalex said:

Not sure what there would be to laugh about having completely unnecessarily shown the world what a spineless coward you are in needlessly going on the run, and leaving a son behind to boot.

The spineless cowards are the junta who seized power and use the corruption agencies to pursue their political enemies. Then shamelessly announce that they are the soldiers of democracy and the good people. She stood up against all those abuses and intimidation for as long as she possibly can until the cowardly junta fear her supporters and plan for her escape. Just hope the junta would not go so low as to use her son as a bargaining chip. Knowing the junta despicable behavior, this might happen.

[Baerboxer]

"If the verdict is read tomorrow, Yingluck will be able to decide what she will do next, a high-ranking party official from her Pheu Thai Party told The Nation, adding that she might reappear in public to present her side of the case to her supporters. However, if the court postpones the reading, the situation would still be ambiguous, he said. 

“A postponement might mean there could be ‘bargaining’,” he said."

 

So if she doesn't like the verdict, she'll become a fugitive and refuse to accept the verdict. If she does like the verdict she'll come back and no doubt praise the court for it's fairness and justice!

 

Just about sums up the credibility in the system and the scorn hiso elites and politicians have for it.

 

 

[Baerboxer]

28 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

The spineless cowards are the junta who seized power and use the corruption agencies to pursue their political enemies. Then shamelessly announce that they are the soldiers of democracy and the good people. She stood up against all those abuses and intimidation for as long as she possibly can until the cowardly junta fear her supporters and plan for her escape. Just hope the junta would not go so low as to use her son as a bargaining chip. Knowing the junta despicable behavior, this might happen.

 

But nothing cowardly in the Shins having Chalerm and Tarit go after their enemies, inventing laws or applying very creative interpretations to do so eh Eric?

 

Nothing cowardly in promising to "be with you shoulder to shoulder when the first shot's fired" and then pissing off to a luxury hotel in France; or promising to "stay and fight for justice" then bugger off just before the verdict eh Eric?

 

Cowardice, lies and BS seems a somewhat common theme, wouldn't you agree?

[Baerboxer]

46 minutes ago, LannaGuy said:

 

Wow talk about twisting history!  to most in Thailand she's a heroine of democracy who was hounded by the MILITARY Junta and had to escape lest the CCTV was under 'maintenance' again. Are you living in an 'alternate' universe?

 

You're having a laugh! Or the medication isn't working again!

 

She's a crook who did what her crooked big brother told her to do. And like him, she's scarred shitless of jail.

[Eric Loh]

17 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

But nothing cowardly in the Shins having Chalerm and Tarit go after their enemies, inventing laws or applying very creative interpretations to do so eh Eric?

 

Nothing cowardly in promising to "be with you shoulder to shoulder when the first shot's fired" and then pissing off to a luxury hotel in France; or promising to "stay and fight for justice" then bugger off just before the verdict eh Eric?

 

Cowardice, lies and BS seems a somewhat common theme, wouldn't you agree?

So when the law went against your side, it is cowardly. I see you have the same

mentality as the establishment. Only their political enemies are single out. Rest are untouchables. There goes your constant preaching on the need for the rule of law. 

 

If you want to talk about May 2010 Paris visit, you need to tell the truth. THaksin was invited by a thinktank in Paris and the organizers were frantically trying to stop him from making political speech regarding the atrocities of the military in quenching the Rajaprasong demonstrators. Thank god he did just that and made known to an international audience of the military killing of civilians. 

[Baerboxer]

Just now, Eric Loh said:

So when the law went against your side, it is cowardly. I see you have the same

mentality as the establishment. Only their political enemies are single out. Rest are untouchables. There goes your constant preaching on the need for the rule of law. 

 

If you want to talk about May 2010 Paris visit, you need to tell the truth. THaksin was invited by a thinktank in Paris and the organizers were frantically trying to stop him from making political speech regarding the atrocities of the military in quenching the Rajaprasong demonstrators. Thank god he did just that and made known to an international audience of the military killing of civilians. 

 

What are you on about? Certainly not comprehending what is written in my post.

 

A ThinkTank, how unfortunate when he probably wanted to be here so much, right on the front line in all the danger. And with his kids by his side as he told others to do,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, er, he shipped them out of the country too. And he;s been so brave since. Like when he bottled out of a red shirt rally in Burma because he was scared. Face reality Eric, the Shins are cowardly crooks, no more no less.

[Eric Loh]

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

What are you on about? Certainly not comprehending what is written in my post.

 

A ThinkTank, how unfortunate when he probably wanted to be here so much, right on the front line in all the danger. And with his kids by his side as he told others to do,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, er, he shipped them out of the country too. And he;s been so brave since. Like when he bottled out of a red shirt rally in Burma because he was scared. Face reality Eric, the Shins are cowardly crooks, no more no less.

Truth hurts. I consider junta who seized power because they have guns as cowards together with their partner in crime Suthep and Ahbisit. Much different from those who dare to face the electorate and win their mandate. I see you like people who seized power and gain office without people mandate. Sad.