Former Prime Minister Thaksin indicted for alleged royal insult

Thailand's attorney general will indict former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly insulting the monarchy. This is a setback for a political heavyweight whose loyalists are currently in government.

The army files a complaint

The complaint was filed by the royalist soldiers who overthrew the government of his sister Yingluck Shinawatra. It was based on an interview the influential tycoon gave to foreign media in 2015.

Other charges against him include violating a computer crime law.

» declared the spokesperson for the Attorney General, Prayuth Bejraguna. “The Attorney General has decided to indict Thaksin on all counts. He added that the former Thai prime minister is expected to appear in court on June 18.

Former Thai prime minister says he is loyal to the crown

Thaksin, 74, denies any wrongdoing and has repeatedly pledged his loyalty to the crown.

Thailand's lese majeste law prohibits criticism of the crown. It is one of the strictest in the world.

The Thaksin case is the highest-profile case among more than 270 prosecutions in recent years. Current law provides for a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for each alleged insult to the royal family.

Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, questioned the authenticity of the video of the interview in which the alleged insult was made.

Winyat said his client did not show up for the hearing because he had COVID.

“We must proceed according to our rights in a criminal case. Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to prove his innocence in court.

With contributions from Reuters