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Thaksin Shinawatra back in Montenegro: Source

Thaksin Shinawatra is reportedly back in the Balkan state of Montenegro following a Thai court approving a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges. Shinawatra is wanted over his involvement with violent protests in the Thai capital that left more than 80 people dead.

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Source: AFP


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Thailand's fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the Balkans state of Montenegro with his family, a Montenegrin source close to Thaksin said.

News of Thaksin's whereabouts came hours after a Thai court approved an arrest warrant for him on terrorism charges in connection with recent violent protests in Thailand which left more than 80 people dead.

"He arrived in Montenegro Monday and will leave today (Tuesday)," the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

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Montenegro's police commissioner Vujadin Veljovic told reporters that his office has not received any warrants from Thailand.

"We have not received any requests from Thai authorities, if there is such a request from anywhere for anyone, police will respond with responsibility," Veljovic told reporters.

Local media said Thaksin was staying in the coastal town of Budva on his third visit to Montenegro in recent months.

Thaksin first surfaced in Montenegro in March and the authorities promptly issued him with a Montenegrin passport. The government has said he is working on "very important projects for Montenegro."

Montenegro has a policy of not extraditing its citizens wanted in other countries.

The last time he was in Montenegro in April Thaksin confirmed he was in contact with the opposition in his country and urged his supporters to "fight for democracy and justice".

The telecoms tycoon-turned-premier was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 and has been living in self-imposed exile, mainly in Dubai, to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption imposed in absentia in 2008.

Current prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has accused Thaksin of inciting unrest and bankrolling the mass rallies by the opposition "Red Shirts", many of whom seek Thaksin's return.

If found guilty Thaksin could face the death penalty.


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