The Criminal Court on Tuesday approved the Department of Special Investigation's request for an arrest warrant for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges.
The court approved the warrant after examining testimony given by DSI chief Tharit Pengdit, his deputy Pol Col Narat Savetanant and Pol Lt-Col Thawal Mangkhang, the DSI chief investigator, on Monday.
The three presented the court with additional documents and clips of Thaksin speaking from abroad via video link to red-shirt rallies.
The court examination on Monday was held in camera. No reporters were allowed in the courtroom.
Pol Col Narat said after the court approved the warrant that the DSI would find out Thaksin's whereabouts. After that the Office of the Attorney General would contact the countries concerned to seek Thaksin's extradition.
The government earlier asked several countries, including the United Arab Emirates where Thaksin has stayed in Dubai, to send him to back Thailand to answer to a two-year jail sentence given by the Supreme Court in the Ratchadapisek land case, but to no avail.
Thaksin was lately reported to have be sighted in many countries, the latest being France where he was seen in Cannes during the film festival.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he believed the fact that Thaksin is now wanted on terrorism charges would make it easier for Thailand to obtain his extradition.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan reported to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to acknowledge terrorism charges shortly after 1pm on Tuesday.
Mr Jatuporn, a Puea Thai Party-list MP, was accompanied by his lawyer Kamrop Poltaklang and opposition Puea Thai MP for Udon Thani province Wichien Kaokam.
Mr Kamrop said beforehand that Mr Jatuporn would deny the terrorism charges, and would request permission to give a written statement within 30 days.
Mr Jatuporn is protected from arrest by parliamentary immunity while the House is in session and was not detained.
Mr Kamrop said his client would try to explain to the court that the anti-government protest was politically motivated and not an act of terrorism.
A group of supporters were reported to have gathered at the entrance to the DSI building, near the government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, while he was there.
The Criminal Court agreed on Tuesday to a police request to detain five UDD leaders charged with breaking the emergency law for another seven days for further questioning.
The five are Natthawut Saikua, 35, Kwanchai Praipana, 58, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai, 58, Yoswaris Chuklom or Jeng Dokchik, 52, and Nisit Sinthuprai, 54.
They were the first group of red-shirt leaders to surrender to police, on May 19, after declaring the end of the UDD rally at Ratchaprasong.
The court approved their detention by police for another seven days from May 26 to June 1.
The five core members were not taken to the court for security reasons. The hearing was held by video conference.
from bangkok post
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