Attorney-general of Thailand will indict former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly insulting the monarchy. This comes as a setback to a political heavyweight whose loyalists are currently in the government.
Military lodges complaint
The complaint has been lodged by the royalist military that ousted the government of his sister Yingluck Shinawatra. It was based on an interview the influential tycoon gave to foreign media in 2015.
Other charges against him include violating a computer crime law.
The attorney-general’s spokesperson Prayuth Bejraguna said. “The attorney-general has decided to indict Thaksin on all charges. He added the former premier of Thailand would need to appear before court on June 18.
Thailand’s former PM says he’s loyal to the crown
Thaksin, 74, denies wrongdoing and has repeatedly pledged his loyalty to the crown.
Thailand’s lese-majeste law forbids criticism of the crown. It is one of the world’s strictest of its kind.
Thaksin’s is the highest-profile case among more than 270 prosecutions in recent years. The current law carries a maximum jail term of 15 years for each perceived insult of the royal family.
Thaksin’s lawyer Winyat Chartmontri questioned the authenticity of the video of the interview in which the alleged insult was made.
Winyat said his client did not appear at the hearing because he had COVID.
“We have to proceed based on our rights in a criminal case. Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to prove his innocence in the justice system.”
With inputs from Reuters
