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Former Thailand PM Thaksin appeals asset seizure order

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Lawyers for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed Friday that the Constitutional Court of Thailand had wrongfully ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Thaksin and asked for a reconsideration of his case. Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin's legal advisor, said that new evidence had come to light showing that Thaksin did not abuse his power while in office to benefit himself. Lawyers for Thaksin's children are expected to file separate appeals against the ruling. A five-judge Supreme Court panel will decide whether to accept the appeal. The Thai Constitutional Court ruled last month that Thaksin was guilty of using his power in office to personally benefit himself and other family members. The Court ordered that $1.4 billion of his estimated $2.2 billion fortune be seized. The court found that Thaksin crafted government telecommunications policy to benefit his family by providing them with shares in Shin Corporation. The shares were then sold just three days after the the government raised the maximum foreign ownership of telecommunication companies from 20 percent to 49 percent. Thaksin has claimed that all of his wealth was obtained legitimately. Thaksin was also convicted in absentia on corruption charges related to a land purchase and sentenced to two years in prison. Thai officials have denied claims that the country's judiciary is biased against the former prime minister.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on March 27, 2010 (boomark / email).