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BANGKOK: Thailand’s ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and
his wife will testify in person at their corruption trial in August
over a controversial land purchase, their lawyer said Wednesday.
Investigators say Pojaman Shinawatra used her
billionaire husband’s political influence to buy a plot of prime
Bangkok real estate from a government agenscy at one-third of its
estimated value.
Lawyer Pichit Cheunban said the defense team
would discuss what were the appropriate times for Thaksin and his
wife to testify before the Supreme Court.
“They both will come to testify in August, the
team will discuss when and whether they will come to the same
hearing,” Pichit told reporters.
“They are confident of their innocence,” he
added.
The Supreme Court will commence hearing
witnesses for the prosecution in July.
Sakesan Bangsomboon, director general of Special
Litigation, said prosecutors remained sure of their case.
“We are confident, the team has worked at full
capacity without any pressure,” he said.
Thaksin and Pojaman have asked for their trials
to proceed in their absence, citing business commitments.
-- AFP
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