Coss Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 The Supreme Court on Friday cited statutory limitations to dismiss a case arising from the so-called “Alpine Scandal†against a former interior minister on charges of allegedly abusing his authority to purchase two plots of land. A nine-member committee of the National Anti-Corruption Commission made a unanimous decision to try Snoh Thienthong, also Pracharaj Party leader, in February. The commission sued Snoh for alleged corruption related to the Alpine land scam when he was the interior minister in 1990. The NACC report was forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-general for trial preparation. The high court ruled that the case was actually lodged after the expiry of the August 21 deadline. The NACC alleged that Snoh abused his authority and ordered the Pathum Thani land office not to let the Thammikaram Temple accept two plots of land that were donated by Nuam Chamnarnsakda. Snoh later bought the land and turned it into the Alpine Golf Course. Nuam stated in her will, dated November 20, 1969, that she wanted to donate 927 rai of her land in Pathum Thani’s Klong Luang district to the temple. The case was put in the hands of Thanit Kesawapithak, who oversees consumer-related cases in court, and eight other Supreme Court judges. Snoh’s lawyers initially argued that the statute of limitations had expired and it was too late for the NACC to sue Snoh. However, the judges ignored this issue and accepted the lawsuit because it had been submitted in line with the procedural code for trying criminal cases against political office holders. NACC lawyer Polrat Chanthep said the controversy over the statute of limitations could hold the case back. Besides, opinion remained divided between those who stuck to the Council of State and land laws. “This case happened a long time ago. Some of the witnesses have already died. However, the legal team will meet to discuss the testimony. Even if Snoh turns to the Office of the Attorney-general to block the case over the statute of limitations, the legal team does not feel pressured. Everyone is doing their duty,†Polrat said. Deputy Attorney-general Waiyawut Lortrakul said the attorneys could not be witnesses and should base the defence on “what really happenedâ€Â. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 20, 2010 Report Share Posted November 20, 2010 Stealing from a temple ... good Buddhist, ain't he. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozpharlap Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 Stealing from a temple ... good Buddhist, ain't he. Buddism is not a religion, it is a lifestyle. You cannot do wrong, you just come back and do it all over again until you get it right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.