Supreme Court rejcts Thaksin's appeal

[Coss]

Supreme Court rejcts Thaksin's appeal

By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court Wednesday decided against launching an appellate review on the Bt46 billion asset seizure case involving fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his family members.

 

The Court judges convene a full bench and voted to reject the appeal.

 

The Court will convene on Wednesday 11 to vote on whether it should launch an appellate review into the judicial decision to seize Bt46 billion worth of assets owned by ex-PM Thaksin and his family members.

 

In February, the special graft court ruled in favour of confiscating Thaksin's ill-gotten gains and though the verdict was considered final, based on a one-tier review by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, the judicial procedure allows for an appeal in the face of fresh evidence.

 

The defence submitted appellate arguments in March, meeting the 30-day deadline.

 

The high court appointed a five-member panel, led by Supreme Court vice president Pirapol Pichayawat, to vet the defence arguments. The vetting process is completed and the report submitted to Supreme Court president Sobchok Sukharom.

 

In the report, which is considered classified, the panel members have reportedly noted that the defence brought up arguments that were not part of the judicial inquiry leading to the asset seizure.

 

The high court debated and voted to determine if the defence arguments will constitute fresh evidence warranting appellate review. Should the appellate review be launched, the Supreme Court's bench of judges would be responsible for reviewing and deciding the outcome.

 

 

-- The Nation 2010-08-11