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Thailand will seek the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra after he failed to appear in a Bangkok court to face
corruption charges, Thai officials said today.
A Thai judge issued arrest warrants for Thaksin — who
served as prime minister 2001-2006 — and his wife Pojamarn on
Tuesday after they failed to show up for the first formal session
of their trial.
Thaksin has been living in exile since he was overthrown in a
bloodless coup in September last year. Pojamarn has been traveling
in and out of Thailand since the coup. They currently live in
England, according to their lawyer, Pichit Chaenban.
State prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon said his office was working
with the Thai police and Foreign Ministry to secure the couple's
extradition.
"We will do everything in our power to get the two of them to
face charges in Thailand," said Seksan.
Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, whom the military
appointed to succeed Thaksin, said the government would do all it
can to ensure Thaksin faces the corruption charges in a Thai
court.
"The government will help facilitate the process," Surayud said.
"We have an extradition treaty with Britain. It will just have to
follow due process."
Seksan said it remained unclear if Thaksin could be extradited
in time for the next session of the trial on Sept. 25. Thaksin's
lawyer has left open the possibility — generally regarded as
unlikely — that his clients would return voluntarily for the
trial.
Extradition is usually a lengthy and complicated procedure, and
most Western countries are reluctant to agree to it in cases
involving political figures.
Surayud said that his military-appointed government would ensure
the couple's safety if they return to face the charges.
The case involves conflict of interest in a land deal while
Thaksin was in power. Pojamarn is accused of illegally buying real
estate from a government agency effectively controlled by her
husband.
Thaksin was overthrown after months of demonstrations calling
for his resignation because of alleged corruption and abuse of
power. Since then, the military-appointed government that succeeded
him has launched several investigations into his alleged corruption
and have frozen millions of dollars of his family's assets.
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