Thai Court Approves Arrest Warrant Against Thaksin On Terrorism Charge

[webfact]

Criminal Court approves arrest warrant against Thaksin on terrorism charge

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court Tuesday approved an arrest warrant against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charge.

The arrest warrant was approved a day after Department of Special Investigations chief Tharit Pengdit testified to the court as well as showing a video clip to the court.

-- The Nation 2010-05-25

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[hammered]

This is going to get interesting. Should make the censure debate a bit of a laugh too

[waanjai-TV]

Has anyone seen this video-clip yet?

[Arjay]

Good great! They can now send the Royal Thai Army to Montenegro,Nicaragua and Fiji.

[saintofsilence]

Every airport should be on the look out for him now and that private plane seized.

Thaksins days on the run are numbered

[shadiadi]

wasn't this one was it

[dttk0009]

I don't think this verdict is going to change much for him.

[pmugghc]

Does this mean Thailand can ask Interpol to arrest him anywhere ?

[waanjai-TV]

Good great! They can now send the Royal Thai Army to Montenegro,Nicaragua and Fiji.

Based on an arrest warrant that has been declared because of "violating the emergency rule"

Longer report by The Nation.

[iasian]

A couple of terrorists

[shadiadi]

Does this mean Thailand can ask Interpol to arrest him anywhere ?

They can ask but not sure if Interpol will get involved in this political circus.

[bkkjames]

May make things a bit more diplomatically sensitive for nations that he visits?

[saintofsilence]

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2904640.htm

[hammered]

The whole battle right now is moving to the international arena. Thaksin has spin doctored up and the government have issued the government have obtained a terrorism warrant form the court which can be used to create pressure internationally.

In the meantime the clock ticks

[yoshiwara]

I don't think this verdict is going to change much for him.

Oh yes it does.

Campaigning for someone convicted of corruption is one thing.

Also supporting the same person on terrorist charges will give even the forum Thaksin red apologists a few difficulties.

[webfact]

Thai court approves 'terrorism' warrant for ex-PM Thaksin

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A Thai court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges, which carry a maximum penalty of death, in connection with recent violent protests.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has accused Thaksin of inciting unrest and bankrolling the mass rallies by the opposition "Red Shirts", many of whom seek the return of the former telecoms tycoon.

"A court found there was enough evidence so it issued an arrest warrant," Naras Savestanan, deputy chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), told reporters after the closed-door hearing at the Criminal Court.

"Now it's the attorney general's job to enforce the warrant," he said.

The tycoon-turned-premier was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile, mainly in Dubai, to avoid a jail term for corruption.

If found guilty, Thaksin could in theory face the death penalty, but the warrant appears aimed at boosting attempts to extradite Thaksin, who has found sanctuary in several countries.

The government has exerted pressure on countries he has visited and moved to freeze his finances.

Abhisit said the court ruling and the severity of the charge would help the government's efforts to have Thaksin extradited.

"It will make our work with foreign countries easier," he told reporters.

"We still have to monitor his movements and seek cooperation in line with existing agreements. As of now many countries are banning him, but not all."

The DSI, tasked with investigating violence surrounding the anti-government demonstrations by the Red Shirts, said on Monday it had submitted evidence "which show Thaksin's coordinating role" in the unrest.

Thaksin last week denied he was the "mastermind of the terrorists".

His legal adviser, Pichit Cheunban, said Tuesday he would inform the ex-premier of the court move and "discuss what to do next."

The street rallies, which were broken up last week by the army, paralysed central Bangkok and descended into several outbreaks of violence that left 88 people dead since mid-March, mostly civilians, and nearly 1,900 injured.

Many of the protest leaders have been arrested and are in police custody.

Authorities Tuesday extended a midnight-to-4am curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces for four nights as it seeks to restore order in the capital, where arson and looting broke out last week after the army crackdown.

Thaksin is idolised by many of the "Red Shirt" protesters for his populist policies, including cheap healthcare and village funds, but Thailand's elite see him as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy.

His elected allies were later ejected in a controversial court ruling, paving the way for Abhisit's administration to be appointed in a 2008 army-backed parliamentary vote.

The Reds, who are campaigning for fresh elections to replace a government they condemn as undemocratic, disbanded last Wednesday in the face of a military offensive that forced their leaders to surrender.

Enraged militants within the movement set 36 major buildings ablaze including the stock exchange and Thailand's biggest mall, Central World, which now stands in ruins.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-25

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[saintofsilence]

And as if the international community will take notice of some kangaroo court from a 3^rd world banana republic… just more hot air and BS as usual.

How wrong you are , He is on terrorism charges I would say he will be arrested in days not months.

[dttk0009]

I don't think this verdict is going to change much for him.

Oh yes it does.

Campaigning for someone convicted of corruption is one thing.

Also supporting the same person on terrorist charges will give even the forum Thaksin red apologists a few difficulties.

What about extradition treaties? He might seek asylum based on that Thailand carries out the death penalty. Guess we'll wait and see.

[yoshiwara]

And as if the international community will take notice of some kangaroo court from a 3^rd world banana republic… just more hot air and BS as usual.

Whistling is all you can do.

Now that your hero is holed up indefinitely.

[basjke]

name='saintofsilence' post='3640839' date='2010-05-25 14:16:02'

How wrong you are , He is on terrorism charges I would say he will be arrested in days not months.

I hope you are right but the arrest warant isn't issued by an international court is it?

Don't you think the international community has to recognize the arrest warrant first?

Edited May 25, 2010 by basjke

[whybother]

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2904640.htm

I love it when journalists give it to that idiot.

[up-country_sinclair]

Other nations might be inclined to support his extradition now that the charge is terrorism.

[saintofsilence]

And as if the international community will take notice of some kangaroo court from a 3^rd world banana republic… just more hot air and BS as usual.

How wrong you are , He is on terrorism charges I would say he will be arrested in days not months.

I hope you are right but the arrest warant isn't issued by an international court is it?

Don't you think the international community has to recognize the arrest warrant first?

I really don't know how long that would take but now all countries will be aware of his charges and I would think none of them would want to have him on their soil now.

[asiawatcher]

name='saintofsilence' post='3640839' date='2010-05-25 14:16:02'

How wrong you are , He is on terrorism charges I would say he will be arrested in days not months.

I hope you are right but the arrest warant isn't issued by an international court is it?

Don't you think the international community has to recognize the arrest warrant first?

Correct. Thailand does not recognise any jurisdiction outside the Kingdom of Thailand thus is reciprocated so to be able to enact an arrest this must be approved by say Interpol. But one thing for certain - try him in the Hague cos you bring h\im home - all hel_l will break loose.

Edited May 25, 2010 by asiawatcher

[chantorn]

And as if the international community will take notice of some kangaroo court from a 3^rd world banana republic… just more hot air and BS as usual.

How wrong you are , He is on terrorism charges I would say he will be arrested in days not months.

I hope you are right but the arrest warant isn't issued by an international court is it?

Don't you think the international community has to recognize the arrest warrant first?

I really don't know how long that would take but now all countries will be aware of his charges and I would think none of them would want to have him on their soil now.

Sorry, the warrant is only written in Thai, not English, nor French, nor Montenegrin.

[rabo]

I don't think this verdict is going to change much for him.

Oh yes it does.

Campaigning for someone convicted of corruption is one thing.

Also supporting the same person on terrorist charges will give even the forum Thaksin red apologists a few difficulties.

What about extradition treaties? He might seek asylum based on that Thailand carries out the death penalty. Guess we'll wait and see.

I think this is why he has been collecting passports from some of the finest nations on earth, Fiji, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Cambodia.

[TheOldWolf]

As I have statedmany times before, the thai goverment doesn´t want him back in Thailand. They just try to make it as uncomfortable for him as possible.

[gemini81]

wasn't this one was it

Thats one of them! I am sure that was included. So much for the saying "think before you talk"

[kuffki]

Does this mean Thailand can ask Interpol to arrest him anywhere ?

I believe so, but also now he is to be extradated under different law. And hiding out in the coutry's that he did before could be little harder, as most of them have to arrest him now under International Law.

[gemini81]

A couple of terrorists

one down, one to go!