Thailand’s jailed ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to be freed early
- Thailand’s justice minister says Thaksin Shinawatra was on a list of 930 prisoners having their sentence suspended
- Thaksin, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup, is serving time for convictions related to corruption, abuse of power
Jailed former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is to be freed, the government said on Tuesday, possibly as soon as the weekend – just six months after returning from 15 years of self-imposed exile.
The controversial billionaire, twice-elected premier and ousted in a 2006 military coup, was jailed for eight years on corruption and abuse of power charges in August, but within days had his sentence cut to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on Tuesday the former Manchester City owner, 74, would be among 930 prisoners granted early release.
“He is in the group where they are in a critical condition or aged over 70. He will be released after six months automatically,” Tawee Sodsong told reporters.
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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra jailed for 8 years upon return from exile
Thaksin was jailed on August 22 last year, and Thai media reported that his release could come any day from Saturday.
