Former Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra found guilty of royal defamation

In an investigation conducted by the Thai Attorney General, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ruled to have violated the country's 'lese-majeste' laws due to remarks he made in a 2015 interview with a South Korean television station that were deemed to disparage the monarchy.

Attorney General's Office spokesperson Prayuth Bejraguna stated that 74-year-old Thaksin was found guilty in the 'lese-majeste' case heard this morning, adding that Shinawatra has been released on bail under supervision. Prayuth also noted that Shinawatra's passport has been confiscated and he has been issued a travel ban.

It was reported that Shinawatra's final sentence will be clarified at the next court hearing in August, though political experts believe Shinawatra will not be sentenced to prison.

HE LIVED IN EXILE FOR 15 YEARS

Shinawatra, who served as prime minister of Thailand between 2001 and 2006, was removed from office in a 2006 military coup and lived in exile for 15 years to escape the charges brought against him.

Returning to his country for the first time after a long absence last year, Shinawatra denied all past charges against him and applied for a royal pardon.

In Thailand, which has some of the world's strictest royal laws, more than 270 people have been sentenced to prison under the 'lese-majeste' law since the coup, while Thai Lawyers for Human Rights claim that royal laws are used as a method of political punishment in the country and are abused by politicians.

News Source: İHA