Chuan Leekpai, the Democrat Party's chief adviser who is leading the defence team in the two dissolution cases the party faces, yesterday lamented the pressure being put on the Constitution Court.
Without naming any names, Chuan said some people were trying to build the impression that a "not guilty" verdict would equal double standards and show bias in favour of the ruling party.
"I insist that people who commit offences must be punished, but don't apply pressure. It seems as if people who respect the law are at a disadvantage, while violators have the upper hand," the former prime minister said.
When asked about rumours of the withdrawal of Wasan Sroypisut, one of the judges dealing with the cases, Chuan denied any knowledge of it but said the pressure was working if the judge was really pulling out. He also called on the government to take care of institutions and independent organisations that have come under political pressure.
Chuan yesterday met with Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva at the party's headquarters to discuss the cases filed by the Election Commission against the party. The ruling party is accused of misusing a Bt29-million political party fund and concealing a Bt258-million donation made several years ago.
Banyat Bantadtan, who was then serving as party leader, has offered to help with the donation case, while veteran Democrat MP Suthas Ngoenmuen will be appointed to the party's legal team, Chuan said yesterday. He added that the same legal team would deal with both two cases because facts and information involving both cases came from the same sources.
Chuan said that regarding the fund-misuse case, the party had submitted a detailed explanation to the court and the next stage would be to produce witnesses for testimony. He said the legal team would focus on the donation case, which was filed by public prosecutors with the Constitution Court on Tuesday.
In a separate development, Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban has asked party MPs to help Panich Vikitsreth campaign for the July 25 by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6, deputy party spokesman Varong Dejkitvikrom said. He quoted Suthep as saying that the election result would reflect the popularity of the Democrat Party.