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 20 July 2008 08:12 BST

Thailand's Thaksin begins defence over corruption charges

Wednesday, 12 Mar 2008 09:46
Thaksin Shinawatra, ex-prime minister of Thailand
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has entered a not guilty plea as he begins his defence against corruption charges levelled against him.

The ex-leader, who was barred from politics for five years in 2007 but remains a dominant figure in Thai political life, denied illegally suppressing rival bids for a plot of land in Bangkok bought by him and his wife, Pojaman.

According to the Bangkok Post newspaper the couple paid far less than the real value of the plot of land. Together with a separate allegation of stock-trading law violation they face over ten years in jail if convicted.

"We are confident that we can answer all questions and defend against any accusations by the prosecutors," the AFP news agency quoted Mr Thaksin's lawyer, Pichit Cheunban, as telling reporters after the hearing.

Witness statements must be filed before April 29th, the next date in the hearing.

Between now and then Mr Thaksin has obtained permission to return to the UK on business meetings with his Premier League club, Manchester City.

An arrest warrant was originally issued against him last summer but he only chose to return to fight the case in February, after the pro-Thaksin People Power party won the elections in December 2007.

They were the first since the military coup which deposed him from power in September 2006.End of story


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