No immediate extradition request for Yingluck

BANGKOK, Jan 10 (TNA) -- Public prosecutors cannot file a quick request for the extradition of fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra pending investigation into her exact whereabouts. Amnat Chotchai, Director General of the International Affairs Department under the Office of the Attorney-General, said the attorney-general could not send an extradition request based merely on Ms Yingluck photos posted on social media. If such a request was sent without the whereabouts verification, it could be dismissed, he said. The Royal Thai Police Office was duty-bound to verify Ms Yingluck’s whereabouts and an extradition request could be then submitted, Mr Amnat said. He also said that the Supreme Court found Ms Yingluck guilty of criminal wrongdoing. Her case was not political, so it did not have any immunity from extradition. After her whereabouts is confirmed, an extradition request can be sent through the Foreign Ministry, Mr Amnat said. He also said that any asylum request would have no impacts on Thai authorities’ efforts to seek the extradition. Ms Yingluck was believed to escape last August shortly before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced her to five years in jail for failing to stop her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. (TNA)