One month needed for Interpol consideration over Thaksin´s case

BANGKOK, 16 July 2010 (NNT) – A nod from the Paris-based international police intelligence-sharing association, Interpol, over case of self-exiled ex Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should be known within one month.

Police Maj-General Terdsak Rujirawong, Commander of the Royal Thai Police Foreign Affairs Division, said on Friday that an arrest warrant on terrorism charge issued by the Criminal Court has been sent to the Interpol’s headquarter in Paris. However, it is possible that the Interpol might reject the government’s request.

Asked if Mr Thaksin’s dual citizenships; Thai and Montenegrin, would affect the extradition process, Pol Maj Gen Terdsak’s reply was no. The notice released from the Interpol only required its member states to give a close watch as well as confirm his presence and report it to the Interpol’s Bangkok office. The Attorney-General’s International Division will then coordinate with the country that allows Mr Thaksin’s relocation to extradite the then premier back to Thailand.

However, if Interpol gives the nod to government’s petition, the Red Notice will be filed to its 188 member states in executing Mr Thaksin as a transnational terrorist.