On Monday morning, Attorney-General Amnat Chetcharoenrak directed further investigation into the lese majeste charge against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, temporarily released him, and scheduled the next appointment for April 10.
Spokesman Prayut Phetcharakhun mentioned that following Thaksin’s parole on Sunday, he was taken into custody by the Technology Crime Suppression Division for the lese majeste charge before his temporary release was approved.
At 8:30am on Monday, Thaksin was escorted by police to the Attorney-General’s Office where Attorney-General Amnat reviewed Thaksin’s plea for fair treatment in the case.
Mr. Prayut stated that Mr. Amnat determined further questioning was necessary, in line with Thaksin’s request.
The Attorney-General’s Office confirmed Thaksin’s provisional release on Monday. He was ordered to return at 9am on April 10 to hear the attorney-general’s verdict in his case, as stated by the office’s spokesman.
The former prime minister was seen arriving at the OAG in a wheelchair and wearing a face mask.
Earlier, Spokesman Prayut disclosed that Thaksin is accused of insulting the monarchy with remarks made in Seoul, South Korea, on May 21, 2015.
On September 19, 2016, then attorney-general Pongniwat Yuthapanboripan decided to formally charge Thaksin.
At that time, Thaksin was a fugitive, and the former attorney-general instructed the police to obtain an arrest warrant from the Criminal Court, which was granted.
On January 17 of the current year, Thaksin was notified by prosecutors and police of the lese majeste and associated computer crime allegations. Thaksin denied the accusations and submitted a written request for fair treatment.
In May 2015, Thaksin gave an interview to Chosun Ilbo in Seoul, alleging that privy councillors supported the May 22, 2014, coup that ousted the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, his younger sister.
The interview’s video was widely circulated on Thai social media platforms.
The police believe that Thaksin’s interview remarks might have violated the lese majeste and computer crime laws. The lese majeste law, Section 112 of the Criminal Code, mandates a penalty of 3-15 years’ imprisonment for each violation.
Authorities believe that remarks from the interview might have violated the lese majeste and computer crime laws. Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, provides for a punishment of 3 to 15 years in prison for each offense.
