The judiciary yesterday rejected as groundless claims that bribes had been offered to judges in the assets case against ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra - and asked anyone with proof of bribery to petition the anti-graft agency.
The judiciary yesterday rejected as groundless claims that bribes had been offered to judges in the assets-seizure case of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
Anyone with proof of bribery is asked to petition the anti-graft agency.
ML Ritthithep Devakula, vice president of the Supreme Court who is one of the nine judges in the trial, said there had been no offers of bribes.
"That is a rumour aimed at creating a situation," he said.
Ritthithep said no judges on his panel paid any attention to the rumour, because it was untrue.
Samran Rodphet, spokesman for the New Politics Party, the political arm of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, claimed four judges in the nine-judge panel had accepted bribes.
Supreme Court secretary Virat Chinwinitkul said anyone with proof of malfeasance or bribe-taking against any judge should petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
"If the allegation is true, the Judicial Commission will take action without exemption," he said. "Judges are not anxious following rumours of bribes. Instead they've become more careful in preparing their judgements."
Virat also said the Constitution stipulated judges were required to report their financial status to the NACC.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders is scheduled to read its verdict on Friday. Thaksin is accused of earning his wealth dishonestly and risks having Bt76 billion of his family's assets seized if found guilty.
Meanwhile, Jatuporn Promphan, a leader of the pro-Thaksin red shirts and an MP for the opposition Pheu Thai Party, yesterday called on the Supreme Court president to clear up the bribery allegations before judgement day. He said however the court verdict eventuated, Thaksin's reputation would be damaged.
"If the court decides not to seize the assets, they [rumour-mongers] will conclude the judges could be bought for Bt1 billion each. If the court is for the assets seizure, they'll say the judges cannot be bought. Either way, Thaksin will stand to lose," he said.
SC Asset chairman Yingluck Shinawatra remains upbeat her brother would receive fair treatment, saying she believes the issue will not affect her property business.
She told a company press conference yesterday that during events leading up to Friday - Judgement Day in Thaksin's asset-seizure case - customers continued to visit its projects.
The court will base its verdict on information, she believes.
"I'll be working at the office on February 26," she said.
