Thai ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra found guilty of corruption:2 year of prison

by Amitjha | October 21, 2008 at 12:49 am

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Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawtra have been found guilty of corruption , Supreme court have sentenced two year of imprisonment to ex-PM. His trial had started today.

In the landmark ruling, he was found to have used political influence to help his wife purchase land from a state agency at a knock-down price.The couple fled to the UK in August, saying they would not get a fair trial.

The decision comes amid growing tension between the former leader's supporters and his opponents.The Supreme Court's decision is the first in a series of cases lodged against Mr Thaksin.

The ruling is the first in a string of stalled and slow-moving cases against Thaksin, former owner and now honorary chairman of Manchester City Football Club, launched in the wake of the 2006 military coup.

The nine-member court ruled by five to four that Thaksin had violated the constitution in involving himself in the land deal.

"Thaksin had violated the article of the constitution on conflict of interest, as he was then prime minister and head of government who was supposed to work for the benefit of the public," one judge said as he read the verdict.

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