Thaksin Shinawatra Indicted on Lese Majeste Charges in Thailand

Thaksin Shinawatra Indicted on Lese Majeste Charges in Thailand/X@ThaksinLive

Dil Bar Irshad | May 29, 2024 | 03:03 PM IST | Breaking News, Thailand, World | Follow on Google News

Thaksin Shinawatra Indicted on Lese Majeste Charges in Thailand

Thaksin Shinawatra Indicted on Lese Majeste Charges in Thailand

Key Highlights:

1. Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra indicted for lese majeste over a 2015 interview.
2. Thaksin must appear before the Attorney General’s office on June 18.
3. Lese majeste laws in Thailand impose up to 15 years imprisonment for royal defamation.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been indicted on lese majeste charges, marking the latest development in Thailand’s ongoing political saga, authorities announced on Wednesday, according to CNN. The charges stem from a 2015 interview with the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, in which Thaksin allegedly violated Thailand’s strict royal insult law.

“The attorney general has decided to indict Thaksin on all charges,” said spokesperson Prayuth Bejraguna, announcing the decision. Thaksin is scheduled to appear before the Office of the Attorney General on June 18 and will subsequently be brought before the court. He was unable to attend the initial hearing due to a Covid-19 infection.

Lese-majeste, or defamation against the dignity of the ruling monarch, carries severe penalties in Thailand. Thaksin, who served as prime minister from 2001 until his ousting in a 2006 military coup, returned to Thailand last August after 15 years in self-imposed exile and was immediately taken into custody. He was originally sentenced to eight years in prison for conflicts of interest, misuse of authority, and corruption, but this sentence was reduced to one year. Thaksin was released on parole in February after spending six months in a police hospital.

Thailand’s lese majeste laws are among the most stringent globally, with violations punishable by up to 15 years in prison for criticizing the king, queen, or heir apparent. In recent years, numerous individuals have been prosecuted under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, which pertains to lese majeste.

Thaksin’s indictment comes amid renewed calls for justice reform following the death of a young Thai activist held in pre-trial custody on lese majeste charges earlier this month.

(Inputs from CNN)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.