Heavy fine for Chuwit
Chat Thai Party deputy leader Chuwit Kamolvisit was sentenced yesterday to a three-year suspended jail term and a Bt450,000 fine for defaming former police chief Sant Sarutanont.
A lawsuit said that from July 16 to 28, 2003, Chuwit told the media that a "tall police genera"' was taking bribes from gambling dens, earned money from loans at gambling venues outside the country and had a business partnership in massage parlours. The lower court last March sentenced Chuwit to an 18-month jail term and a Bt300,000 fine. The jail term was suspended for four years. The Appeal Court yesterday agreed that Chuwit was guilty. Following the verdict, Chuwit insisted he had never defamed Sant but merely criticised police in general. Since Sant was a senior, he should show mercy, Chuwit said, adding he was willing to apologise if that would make Sant happy in retirement.
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