WOLFGANG ULLRICH CASE: Likhit beats bribery rap

Insufficient evidence politician sought money from German conman: judge

Former Pattaya resident Wolfgang Ullrich

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday threw out a lawsuit against a local politician accused of demanding Bt13 million in bribes from a German criminal suspect to fix his bail application in 1998.

Phichit provincial councillor Likhit Mukda was acquitted after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence to link him to the alleged kickback payments from Wolfgang Ullrich.

“There were no eyewitnesses to testify that bribes were paid to Likhit and his bank accounts show no unusual movement of funds,” presiding judge Akom Rungchaeng said in the verdict.

Ullrich, who fled Germany over fraud allegations, was arrested in Pattaya for local immigration violations and tax evasion. The second charge stemmed from the importation of a yacht into the Kingdom.

In late 1998, Ullrich unsuccessfully tried to secure his release three times.

Through a family friend of his Thai wife, he was introduced to Likhit, who recommended he get a new team of lawyers led by Chamroen Waraporn.

Ullrich was granted bail in February 1999 before being rearrested again on related charges.

Akom said he was obliged to establish whether Ullrich bribed the defendant.

“Prosecution witnesses told this court that two of Ullrich’s friends had made bribery demands and allegedly took the money on Likhit’s behalf,” he said.

The two friends had failed to fix Ullrich’s first three bail applications and the court had reason to suspect that they claimed credit for his eventual release in order to pocket the money, he said.

The prosecution said Likhit had lied about being then-interior minister Sanan Kachornprasart’s private secretary, but the court found his name dropping had no influence on Ulrich’s release.

Likhit said his prosecution was fall-out from a House debate in which Muanchon Party leader Chalerm Yoobamrung allegedly tried to smear Sanan in connection with the Ullrich case.

Ullrich was eventually sent back to Germany where he was sentenced to 12 years in jail in April 2003, after being found guilty of embezzling 26 million euros from animal lovers. He had been the head of one of Germany’s biggest animal welfare groups.

-- The Nation 2004-09-21

I was surprised that I did not see this article until I realized it's the NATION of 21/9, i.e. tomorrow.

Was introduced to this fellow years ago, he was an oustanding member of the foreign community in Pattaya. You know, restaurants, his own yacht, real estate projects, connections to the highest authorities.

After his arrest he was dropped like a hot potato. Guess, I copy this post and pass on to the guy who introduced me...

In retrospect, after the story on the animal welfare groups came out one wonders how he could have duped so many people. We have been talking about millions, and not Baht.

The ruling

after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence to link him to the alleged kickback payments from Wolfgang Ullrich.

however, should be accpted. No evidence.