Thaksin instructs defence team

By THE NATION
Published on January 16, 2010

Fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has instructed his legal team regarding the drafting of the closing statement in his Bt76-billion assets-seizure case, his legal adviser, Noppadon Pattama, said yesterday.

He said Thaksin wanted the team to emphasise pertinent facts, such as the transfer of all of his wealth to his adult children before assuming the premiership on February 9, 2001.

The closing statement will rigorously reiterate a rebuttal that Thaksin was not at all involved in abusing policies to enrich himself or his family.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders is scheduled to read its verdict in the case on February 26.

Noppadon yesterday refused to speculate on the verdict, saying the defence could only hope for justice and that it was in no position to interfere with judicial discretion.

Regarding concerns about another eruption of violence if the verdict were unfavourable to Thaksin, he said his client and the red shirts did not want to see society plunged into chaos. But at the same time, normalcy will not prevail in the absence of justice and democracy.

Noppadon said Thaksin was visiting Asian countries but did not plan to arrive in Phnom Penh early next month as had been speculated.

Meanwhile, Chatthip Tanthaprasat, a member of Thaksin's defence team, yesterday said he expected the team to complete the drafting of the closing statement within the next two weeks.

The draft will be sent to Thaksin for his final examination and approval. He will also determine whether additional issues should be included.

A judicial source yesterday said the court was authorised to read its verdict even if Thaksin was not present. The judges will likely meet on the morning of February 26 to vote on it and then read it out in the afternoon.