Constitution Court to hear 15 from list of 83 presented by prosecution
The Constitution Court yesterday ruled it would hear 15 prosecution witnesses from a list of 83 submitted by the Election Commission (EC) in its fund-misuse case against the ruling Democrat Party.
The ruling came after a session examined evidence on the alleged mishandling of Bt29 million from the Political Party Development Fund - an offence punishable by possible dissolution.
The court instructed the prosecution to file testimonies in writing for witnesses not summoned to take the stand.
Presiding judge Udomsak Nitimontri scheduled four sessions for prosecution witnesses to testify - on August 9, which coincides with the prosecution opening statement, August 23, August 30 and September 6.
Among the prosecution witnesses to be heard are Pheu Thai MP Kiat-udom Menasawat as a complainant, EC officials, businessman Prachai Leopairatana and Prachuab Sangkhao, who were involved in money transfers, and people hired to make election posters for Democrat candidates.
The court will subsequently rule on the hearing of defence witnesses.
In the case, the EC accuses the Democrat Party of misusing Bt29 million from the Political Party Development Fund by spending it on campaign posters of a size different from that of which the EC had been originally notified.
At the court yesterday, the EC and the Democrat Party both submitted additional proof to support their cases. The Democrats' legal team, led by chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, took part in the examination of the lists of witnesses and evidence. The defence has submitted documents containing 1,500 pages to rebut the charges and plans to call about 58 witnesses.
The Democrat team protested that the audio recording of Prachai's testimony and related documents cited by the EC were never shown to them. The court suggested the Democrat team formally seek a copy of the recording and documents be made for them.
Chuan said yesterday that he would call a meeting of the party's legal team today (July 29) to discuss preparation for the court's first hearing of the EC's witnesses.
When asked if he was concerned the witness hearings would take place almost every week over the next month, Chuan said it would be tiring for the legal team but it would help the case proceed quickly.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier that he expected the court would rule on this case by the end of October or early November.