Thais reiterate claims in Thaksin's Manchester City takeover

The current Thailand government again made the claim that it is possible that former Primer Minister Thaksin Shinawatra purchased English Manchester City with money that was stashed away from the government.

The current Thai government and the Asset Examination Committee (AEC) again made the statement that the money Thaksin used to make the purchase was never declared.

In retaliation, the Thais have scrambled to freeze more of Thaksin's assets. Thaksin, toppled in a bloodless coup nearly a year ago, had more than GBP 1 billion frozen last month by the current government.

"The former prime minister has abused his power by concealing his shares and converting them into cash," AEC member Kaewsun Atibhodhi said.

The AEC made various accusations against Thaksin, including that he ordered a state bank illegally to provide a soft loan to military-ruled Myanmar for satellite equipment. Thaksin's family had a stake in the satellite sales company from which Myanmar purchased.

Not only that, but Human Rights Watch has sent its concerns to Premier League clubs about executions and abductions during Thaksin's stay in power.

Thaksin however passed the league's "fit and proper" test because he never was convicted of a crime. The British government will not intervene, even though sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe said that the test could be improved.

He has gone on to control more than 75 percent of the club. Some views are that his takeover of Manchester City is an effort to re-establish ties with his old nation, which is a football-obsessed one.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.