Charter judge rejects medical allegations
PUBLISHED: 19 Dec 2024 at 04: 46
The Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition alleging that state officials facilitated former prime ministerThaksin Shinawatraserving his prison sentence in a hospital rather than a prison.
The petition, filed by Kongdecha Chairat, accused Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, the Department of Corrections ( DoC ) director-general, and the Bangkok Remand Prison chief of failing to strictly enforce regulations regarding treatment outside prison. Despite no clear evidence that Thaksin’s health situation was important, it reportedly allowed him to be at the Police General Hospital ( PGH) and get privileges accessible to different individuals.
Thaksin was detained in a hospital on the 14th surface of the hospital for about six weeks after receiving royal mercy, which reduced his sentence to eight years in prison. He was granted a one-year jail sentence on February 18 and was released from the PGH on August 31.
Mr. Kongdecha claimed that the three officers ‘ steps were infringed on the constitutional monarchy and the court.
After reviewing the problem, the court determined that there was insufficient evidence to support claims of malfeasance or negligence. The allegations were deemed insufficient to establish whether the officers had exercised their legal rights in an effort to overthrow the government. As a result, the jury universally dismissed the complaint.
Mr. Kongdecha had first requested a court order to stop Thaksin from influencing the three officials by filing a petition with the attorney general ( AG ) on November 11th. After the AG dismissed the complaint, it was filed immediately with the court.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) made the decision shortly after the court’s announcement on Monday that it would look into the officials who were alleged to have allowed Thaksin to spend time in the hospital rather than incarcerate him. 12 officers from the DoC and PGH will be the subject of the NACC’s investigation.
On Thaksin’s second evening at Bangkok Remand Prison, physicians recommended his move to the PGH due to chest pain, hypertension, and lower blood oxygen levels. The DoC extended Thaksin’s hospital remain beyond December 22 despite the fact that he was legally able to spend 120 days receiving treatment outside of jail.
Democratic activists gathered at the NACC department on Wednesday to support the organization and demand that it finish the Thaksin-extended hospital stay investigation within three weeks. Additionally, they gave the NACC suggestions for attention during the investigation. The activists argued that Thaksin’s pardon research should be separated from his hospital stay, and that they should not have relied on a fair evaluation of his health.
In contrast to earlier claims that Thaksin was in a delicate state, they claimed he appeared healthy and engaged in things like golf and traveling after his release.
Additionally, it was urged to immediately require Thaksin’s medical records. Protesters called for attention of the justice secretary, the justice continuous director, and the police chief regarding their responsibilities in managing Thaksin’s word. However, the activists emphasised the importance of strategic measures in phrase management, especially in corruption cases.
They claimed that while abolishing the statute of limitations helped to combat problem, the absence of accountability and supervision in sentence management may harm the public’s trust in the justice system. Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, lawyer Nititorn Lamlua, and Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand ( NAP ) member Pichit Chaimongkol were just a few people who were present at the NACC office.