Order to strip Abhisit of rank signed

Order to strip Abhisit of rank signed

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat yesterday signed the order to strip Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva of his military rank and recall his salary as proposed by the defence panel, it was reported Friday.

The committee, set up to investigate Mr Abhisit in connection with alleged draft-dodging, was chaired by deputy permanent secretary for defence Gen Prasobchai Kasemsant.

It ruled on Tuesday that Mr Abhisit used a fraudulent document in applying for and obtaining a job as a lecturer at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy - a position that exempted him from military conscription in 1987.

The panel called for ACM Sukumpol to recall Mr Abhisit's salary he received from the academy in addition to stripping him of his rank of acting sub-lieutenant.

The findings declared that Mr Abhisit dodged military conscription.

Mr Abhisit said on Friday that he will petition the Administration Court asking it to order the Defence Ministry to withdraw the order, Post Today Website reported.

The order is unjustified because he had not been given a chance to defend himself. It was just a political ploy to discredit him, he added.

ACM Sukumpol insisted on Thursday that there was hidden political agenda behind the move, as alleged.

He urged Mr Abhisit to submit a letter requesting justice in this case or send additional evidence to prove his innocence to his ministry.

Mr Abhisit said on Thursday that ACM Sukumpol's move to strip him of his military rank was politically motivated, aimed at discrediting the opposition party ahead of the censure debate.

Mr Abhisit said the timing of the ruling comes as his opposition is preparing to expose the failure of the Yingluck Shinawatra government in the House no-confidence debate, scheduled between Nov 25 and 27.

No matter how the panel defends its ruling, he said, "people can sense this is not right".

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