Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is currently fighting tooth-and-nail in the Thai courts, with his wife now found guilty of tax evasion...
The Thai courts are currently gunning for Thaksin Shinawatra. Supporters claim the recent turmoil surrounding the ex-Thai PM stems from political reasons, whilst others suggest that Shinawatra's shady business empire is crashing down around him.
Either way, the Telegraph reports that the Man City supremo's wife has been sentenced to three years behind bars.
Pojaman Shinawatra was investigated over an illegal tax-free transfer of £1.1m into one of the Shinawatra family's business interests and subsequently slammed in Bangkok. She has, however, made bail and has 30 days to plan her inevitable appeal.
Having been Prime Minister for five years, Mr Shinawatra was then in exile in England for 17 months after a military coup, during which time he split his time between London and Manchester, where he purchased Eastlands club City.
Now, though, it appears that he has much work to do in his homeland. Aside from his wife's sentence, he's currently on trial in three cases, a figure which could reach double figures as police continue to probe his business and political affairs.
Still, spokesman Pongthep Thepkanjana insists Mr Shinawatra is taking everything in his stride, saying: "Thaksin is not disheartened [by his wife's trial verdict]. They respect the court ruling, but we will fight until the end."
Biographer Chris Baker, though, isn't so sure. He added: "This is obviously a very black day for the whole family. It's really quite a tense situation for him."
The first of the army-instigated trials could reach a verdict in September. Although Shinawatra denies all allegations against him, a negative supreme court verdict would not be open to appeal.
The Thai courts are currently gunning for Thaksin Shinawatra. Supporters claim the recent turmoil surrounding the ex-Thai PM stems from political reasons, whilst others suggest that Shinawatra's shady business empire is crashing down around him.
Either way, the Telegraph reports that the Man City supremo's wife has been sentenced to three years behind bars.
Pojaman Shinawatra was investigated over an illegal tax-free transfer of £1.1m into one of the Shinawatra family's business interests and subsequently slammed in Bangkok. She has, however, made bail and has 30 days to plan her inevitable appeal.
Having been Prime Minister for five years, Mr Shinawatra was then in exile in England for 17 months after a military coup, during which time he split his time between London and Manchester, where he purchased Eastlands club City.
Now, though, it appears that he has much work to do in his homeland. Aside from his wife's sentence, he's currently on trial in three cases, a figure which could reach double figures as police continue to probe his business and political affairs.
Still, spokesman Pongthep Thepkanjana insists Mr Shinawatra is taking everything in his stride, saying: "Thaksin is not disheartened [by his wife's trial verdict]. They respect the court ruling, but we will fight until the end."
Biographer Chris Baker, though, isn't so sure. He added: "This is obviously a very black day for the whole family. It's really quite a tense situation for him."
The first of the army-instigated trials could reach a verdict in September. Although Shinawatra denies all allegations against him, a negative supreme court verdict would not be open to appeal.
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