Terrorism - Thaksin

[Pom Michael]

Anyone have a forum on Jamaica that we could discuss the happenings there?

 

I have an itch to defend the poor innocent drug runner's mob (only fighting for democracy).

 

:evil:

[LizardKing]

Mate, it was plenty terrifying. Not only for those poor souls in the TV3 building, who *were* trapped on the upper floors while the first two burned and the red crowd outside cheered luckily did escape, but for anyone in a yellow neighborhood. We know now that the attacks were planned for specific buildings. When it was going on, all we knew then was that they were rampaging around and trying to burn the whole city and who knows what else.

 

Do a bit of research on the 1998 Jakarta riots (here's a start) to understand why the feeling of that happening here was VERY real.

[Sporty]

NEW YORK TIMES

 

Fugitive Ex-Leader Denies Financing Thai Protests

 

By SETH MYDANS

Published: May 26, 2010

 

BANGKOK  One day after being charged with terrorism, Thailand’s fugitive former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday that he did not finance or organize the red-shirt movement that had staged a two-month sit-in here.

 

“No, no, no,†he said. As evidence, he said that during the military crackdown last week when 15 people died, “I was in Paris  they sent my picture  shopping at Louis Vuitton with my daughter.â€Â

 

After that, as red-shirt leaders were being rounded up and arrested in Thailand, he said, he went to the Cannes film festival.

 

“I am in contact with them, and they ask for advice sometimes,†he said, describing his relationship with the protest leaders. Some of those leaders asserted that he was more directly involved.

 

 

(MORE)

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/world/asia/27thai.html

 

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/thaksin_shinawatra/index.html

[Sporty]

Thaksin lawyers challenge 'terrorism' arrest warrant

(AFP) – 1 day ago

 

BANGKOK  Lawyers for Thaksin Shinawatra asked a court Wednesday to revoke a warrant to arrest the fugitive former Thai premier on terrorism charges in connection with recent deadly protests.

 

Thailand's Criminal Court Tuesday approved the warrant after the government accused Thaksin of inciting unrest and bankrolling the mass rallies by opposition "Red Shirt" protesters, many of whom seek his return to power.

 

"The arrest warrant was wrongly issued and based on inaccurate evidence and distorted information," Thaksin's lawyer Thanadej Puangpool told AFP.

 

"Thaksin's lawyers had no chance to defend him during the court hearing before it decided to issue the warrant," he said, adding that a ruling was expected on June 18 on the request.

 

Thaksin 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.

 

He said in a statement issued Tuesday that the terrorism charges were "politically motivated".

 

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

 

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

 

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