A working session of the National Assembly of Thailand (Photo: bangkokpost) Bangkok (VNA) – The National Legislative Assembly of Thailand has passed a law on criminal cases against politicians that allows trial in absentia.
The new law make it pointless for political office holders to escape the country and wait for the statute of limitation to expire.
It is one of ten laws arising from Thailand’s 2017 Constitution and considered important to ensure the transparency of the country’s politics ahead of a general election scheduled in late 2018.
Accordingly, the statute of limitation does not cover the period of time indicted politicians flee the country. The law also allows the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders to hear cases against indicted politicians in absentia.
Apart from allowing trial in absentia, the new law includes changes to criminal procedures against political office holders, such as encouraging the court to investigate and find evidence against defendants rather than relying on the prosecution.-VNA
The new law make it pointless for political office holders to escape the country and wait for the statute of limitation to expire.
It is one of ten laws arising from Thailand’s 2017 Constitution and considered important to ensure the transparency of the country’s politics ahead of a general election scheduled in late 2018.
Accordingly, the statute of limitation does not cover the period of time indicted politicians flee the country. The law also allows the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders to hear cases against indicted politicians in absentia.
Apart from allowing trial in absentia, the new law includes changes to criminal procedures against political office holders, such as encouraging the court to investigate and find evidence against defendants rather than relying on the prosecution.-VNA
VNA
