Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions Tuesday found ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra guilty in Ratchadaphisek land deal case and sentenced him to 2 years in jail. His wife Khunying Potjaman was cleared of all charges.
The court ruled 5:4 that Mr Thaksin was guilty of conflict of interest while he was a prime minister by facilitating his wife's land purchase of 33-rai of land on Thiam Ruam Mit road from the Bank of Thailand's Financie Development Fund (FIDF) at a discounted price five years ago.
"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, reading the verdict. "He is sentenced to two years in jail."
The jail term was given without suspension. But because Mr Thaksin is currently living in exile in London, an arrest warrant was also issued for him.
The court ruled 7:2 to clear Khunying Potjaman of all charges, citing that she was not a state official.
Right after the verdict was handed down, Mr Thaksin gave a telephone interview to Reuters, saying that he had expected the jail term.
"I have been informed of the result. I had long anticipated that it would turn out this way," he was quoted as saying, adding that the case was politically motivated.
Meanwhile, People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters, who have occupied the compound of the Government House since late August, cheered loudly to welcome the verdict. Together, they screamed "Thaksin in jail" for several minutes.
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