Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be freed as early as this weekend

Thai Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on February 13 that detained former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be released, possibly as early as this weekend.

Cựu Thủ tướng Thái Lan Thaksin Shinawatra có thể được tự do ngay từ cuối tuần này

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (Source: Reuters)

“About 930 prisoners, including (Mr. Thaksin) will be released. He is in the group of those in critical condition or over 70 years old. He will be automatically released after six months,” Tawee Sodsong told reporters.

Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand in August 2023 and was arrested shortly afterwards. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power and was pardoned by the Thai royal family, reducing his sentence to one year. Hours after arriving at the Bangkok prison, Thaksin was admitted to the Police General Hospital, where he remains.

Mr Thaksin returned to Thailand when a new government was formed, led by the Pheu Thai party, which is linked to his family. Mr Thaksin had been prime minister since 2001 but was ousted in a military coup in 2006. He then left the country and has lived in exile since 2008.

(according to Reuters, AFP)

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