Thailand's Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld a verdict and the sentence of a two-year jail termagainst former prime minister Samak Sundaravej for libel charge.
Samak and co-defendant Dusit Siriwan were convicted by the Criminal Court last year for defamation against former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchapholsit while they hosted a talk show.
"The two defendants are leading figures with political experience who knew that their opinions could sway the public, yet they have repeatedly aired their malicious views via television although the judiciary has granted a number of opportunities for remorse and reform," the Court of Appeals said in its verdict on Thursday, citing the reason to reject a petition for leniency in the sentence, according to a report by The Nation.
The two had been accused of insinuating that Samart was linked to bidding irregularities in 2006. Last year's conviction involved four counts of making libel remarks against Samart. They were both sentenced to six months in jail for each count, making a total of two years.
The two defendants have the right to make a final appeal petition with the Supreme Court within 30 days.
Samart said he would file a civil suit demanding 100 million baht (2.94 million U.S. dollars) following the completion of the appellate process.
Samak remained quiet about the court verdict on Thursday.
The case brought the former premier back to spotlight after he was forced to step down as prime minister after a Constitutional Court in early September found him guilty of breaching the charter by hosting a TV cooking show with pay while in office.
Source:Xinhua
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