Court: Varathep qualified for cabinet
The Constitution Court judges ruled on Friday that Prime Minister's Office Minister Varathep Rattanakorn is qualified to hold his seat in the cabinet.
- Published: 1/02/2013 at 05:29 PM
- Newspaper section: breakingnews
The judges decided by 6 to 3 that Mr Varathep is still eligible for a ministerial portfolio, despite receiving a suspended prison sentence, because he has never actually served time behind bars.
Mr Varathep was sentenced to two years in jail, suspended for two years, by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in 2010.
The senate speaker requested a ruling following a petition by 24 senators who expressed doubts over Mr Varathep's qualifications.
Mr Varathep did not show up at the court, saying he had to receive the Korean ambassador. He assigned Suchart Traisaengrujira to attend the court on his behalf.
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- Writer: Online Reporters