Former Thailand PM Thaksin appeals asset seizure order News
Former Thailand PM Thaksin appeals asset seizure order

[JURIST] Lawyers for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] claimed Friday that the Constitutional Court of Thailand [official website, in Thai] had wrongfully [Bangkok Post report] ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Thaksin and asked for a reconsideration of his case. Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin's legal advisor, said that new evidence had come to light [AFP report] showing that Thaksin did not abuse his power while in office to benefit himself. Lawyers for Thaksin's children are expected to file separate appeals against the ruling. A five-judge Supreme Court panel will decide [The Nation report] whether to accept the appeal.

The Thai Constitutional Court ruled [JURIST report] last month that Thaksin was guilty of using his power in office to personally benefit himself and other family members. The Court ordered that $1.4 billion of his estimated $2.2 billion fortune be seized. The court found [Bangkok Post report] that Thaksin crafted government telecommunications policy to benefit his family by providing them with shares in Shin Corporation [corporate website]. The shares were then sold just three days after the the government raised the maximum foreign ownership of telecommunication companies from 20 percent to 49 percent. Thaksin has claimed [statement] that all of his wealth was obtained legitimately. Thaksin was also convicted in absentia on corruption charges related to a land purchase and sentenced [JURIST report] to two years in prison. Thai officials have denied [JURIST report] claims that the country's judiciary is biased against the former prime minister.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.