BANGKOK, Thailand Feb. 1 (NNN-TNA) — Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday instructed metropolitan police to tighten security for important persons following a warning of the possible assassination of judges and anti-corruption commissioners involved with the upcoming assets seizure case of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Suthep, who oversees national security, said he has ordered the metropolitan police to closely monitor the situation, while noticing that recent moves might be linked to Thaksin.

Major Genenal Khattiya Sawasdipol, an army specialist known as ‘Seh Deang’, warned last week of possible ?death threats? against judges, members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and former members of the now defunct Assets Examination Committee (AEC) as the judges are scheduled to hand down a verdict on February 26 whether the Bt76 billion in frozen assets were accumulated illegally by Thaksin while he was prime minister and should be seized.

Suthep earlier said Gen Khattiya’s warning should be investigated and it must be determined whether to consider it as “intimidation” and if it is, action must be taken against him, for threats can’t be made against judges or courts.

Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006 and is now living in exile after he was convicted in absentia two years in prison on corruption charges regarding the controversial Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek land purchase. — NNN-TNA

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