Sunday, 12 July 2009

Thailand urges Fiji to arrest former PM Thaksin

People's Daily Online

July 12, 2009

Thailand has requested the Fijian government to temporarily arrest ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after learning he is now in the South Pacific island country, according to Thai News Agency report on Saturday.

Office of the Attorney-General's international affairs department had communicated with the Fijian government through Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry earlier this week, requesting the Fijian side to temporarily apprehend Thaksin, said Sirisak Tiyapan, executive director of the department.

Thaksin was ousted by the military coup in September 2006 in accusation of corruption, and kept in exile since then. Thaksin returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges, but he later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.

The Dubai-based former premier was reportedly to have visited the South Pacific nation, seeking asylum in the country. However, Thaksin denied the reports.

Thailand has no extradition treaty with Fiji. Consequently the possible application of an extradition request depends on the voluntary cooperation given by that country, Sirisak said.

Source: Xinhua

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