Attorney-general decides not to appeal Pojaman's acquittal ruling

Attorney-General Julasing Wasantasing Monday decided not to to seek a cancellation of the appellate verdict on the tax-evasion case involving Pojaman na Pombejra, ex-wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Julasing's decision was announced by Thanapit Moolapruek, director of the Special Cases Department and spokesman of the Attorney-General Office, at 11 am at the office.

The spokesman said the attorney-general also decided not to appeal against the Appeals Court's decision to suspend jail term for Bannapot Damapong, Pojaman's brother.

On August 24, the Appeals Court overturned the lower court's ruling involving three defendants in the case. The lower court had found all three defendants guilty, ruling that they were involved in a conspiracy to evade Bt500 million in tax liabilities related to a share transaction in 2000. The defendants - Pojaman, her brother Bannapot Damapong and her secretary Kanachanapa Honghern - were sentenced to three years in jail each, but granted bail pending review by the high court.

In the appellate decision, Pojaman and Kanchanapa were acquitted of all charges. Bannapot was convicted for tax offences before the high court cited his good standing in society as grounds for leniency to suspend his term. He still had to pay Bt100,000 in fines.

The Nation