Bangkok: Pol. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, Minister of Justice, has affirmed that the parole of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is being conducted according to legal provisions. Thaksin, whose sentence is due to expire in May, has served two-thirds of his term, making him eligible for parole. This process involves a comprehensive review by a working group comprising prison officials and representatives from various agencies. The application undergoes a rigorous scrutiny starting at the level of the Director-General of the Department of Corrections before being forwarded to a larger committee for final consideration. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice holds the authority to approve the application.
According to Thai News Agency, a pending case under Section 112 against Thaksin, which has been appealed by the prosecutor, remains under the jurisdiction of the full committee for reconsideration. The parole criteria suggest that Thaksin could be pardoned in May, contingent on the approval from three committees. Pol. Gen. Ruttapol indicated that the parole process this time would differ from the previous one, ensuring adherence to the law.
The Minister of Justice also addressed potential reasons for parole denial, stating that the decision rests with the full committee, which includes representatives from various agencies. Each agency may present differing viewpoints, necessitating a thorough evaluation before reaching a final decision.
When questioned about the possibility of political motivations behind the parole, particularly to prevent Thaksin from campaigning for the Pheu Thai party, Pol. Gen. Ruttapol reiterated that the decision is strictly a legal matter and not influenced by political factors.