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| Thai court issues warrant for Thaksin |
| 31-JUL-2010 Intellasia | AFP |
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| 31 Jul, 2010 - 7:07:00 AM |
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Thailand's Supreme Court on Thursday issued a new arrest warrant for fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in connection with allegations of false declaration of assets.
"Thaksin failed to appear without notifying the court. His action shows an intention to escape," said judge Thanan Wanagowit.
"The case is pending until he can be arrested," he added.
Thai courts have issued a series of warrants for Thaksin for charges including terrorism -- an accusation linked to violent street protests in April and May by his supporters within the anti-government "Red Shirt" movement.
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| Thailand's Supreme Court has issued a new arrest warrant for fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, seen here in 2009, in connection with allegations of false declaration of assets. AFP |
In the latest case, Thaksin faces allegations that he presented false asset declarations to the National Anti-Corruption Commission while in office.
The former telecoms tycoon was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a prison jail imposed in absentia for corruption.
Thaksin is idolised by many Red Shirts 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.
In February,Thailand's Supreme Court seized more than half of Thaksin's 2.3 billion-dollar fortune after ruling that he had abused his power for personal gain.
Thailand's Department of Special Investigation said Thursday it had forwarded cases against 25 people linked to the Red Shirt protests, including Thaksin, to the attorney general, recommending they be indicted for terrorism.
At least 90 people died and some 1,900 were injured a series of street clashes between armed troops and demonstrators.
http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100729/tap-thailand-politics-court-thaksin-c8d5519.html
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