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

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

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

Tawee Sodsong told reporters, “About 930 prisoners, including (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.”

Mr. Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand in August 2023 and was arrested shortly afterward. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power, but the Thai royal family granted him clemency, reducing his sentence to one year. Hours after being transferred to a prison in Bangkok, Mr. Thaksin was hospitalized and transferred to the Police General Hospital. The former prime minister remains in the hospital.

Thaksin returned to Thailand at a time when the country had a new government led by the Pheu Thai party, which is linked to his family. Thaksin had served as Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 but was overthrown in a military coup in 2006. He subsequently left the country and has lived in exile since 2008.

(according to Reuters and AFP)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cuu-thu-tuong-thai-lan-thaksin-shinawatra-co-the-duoc-tu-do-ngay-tu-cuoi-tuan-nay-260764.html