Wissanu: Request for Yingluck extradition is a normal legal procedure

BANGKOK, Aug 1 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the Thai government’s request for Britain to extradite fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was a normal legal action and Britain will decide on its response. He was referring to Thailand’s extradition request based on the Treaty between the United Kingdom and Siam Respecting the Extradition of Fugitive Criminals. It was a normal legal action. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was aware of it and the decision depended on the British government, Mr Wissanu said. “The old treaty remains in effect. But I am not sure if it covers the case of the former prime minister. However, consideration of an extradition request concerns the question as to whether a case is political. According to the international principle of extradition, suspects in political and humanitarian cases will not be extradited. I do not know if Miss Yingluck will appeal in Britain,” Mr Wissanu said. Critics said the matter should rest with public prosecutors of both countries and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs should not be involved. Mr Wissanu said the Royal Thai Police Office had proceeded with the matter and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only sought cooperation from the British government. Yingluck had fled the country last August before the Supreme Court sentenced her to five years in jail for dereliction of duty in relation to her greatly loss-ridden rice subsidy scheme. (TNA)