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A Thai court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges, which carry a maximum penalty of death, in connection with recent violent protests. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has accused Thaksin of inciting unrest and bankrolling the mass rallies by the opposition "Red Shirts", many of whom seek the return of the former telecoms tycoon. "A court found there was enough evidence so it issued an arrest warrant," Naras Savestanan, deputy chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), told reporters after the closed-door hearing at the Criminal Court. "Now it's the attorney general's job to enforce the warrant," he said. Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile, mainly in Dubai, to avoid a jail term for corruption. He said the terrorism charges were "politically motivated" and accused the government of human rights abuses. "During my entire political career I have adhered to non-violence and the constitutional monarchy," he said in a statement issued by his legal adviser. "I have never supported violence," Thaksin said. "The arrest warrant against me is unfair. I am ready to prove that I am not a terrorist and the accusation is politically motivated." If found guilty, Thaksin could in theory face the death penalty, but the warrant appears aimed at boosting attempts to extradite Thaksin, who has found sanctuary in several countries. The government has exerted pressure on countries he has visited and moved to freeze his finances. Abhisit said the court ruling and the severity of the charge would help the government's efforts to have Thaksin extradited. "It will make our work with foreign countries easier," he told reporters. "We still have to monitor his movements and seek cooperation in line with existing agreements. As of now many countries are banning him, but not all." The DSI, tasked with investigating violence surrounding the anti-government demonstrations by the Red Shirts, said on Monday it had submitted evidence "which show Thaksin's coordinating role" in the unrest. The street rallies, which were broken up last week by the army, paralysed central Bangkok and descended into several outbreaks of violence that left 88 people dead since mid-March, mostly civilians, and nearly 1,900 injured. Many of the protest leaders have been arrested and are in police custody. Another top Red Shirt, Jatuporn Prompan, went to the DSI on Tuesday to hear terrorism charges against him, but he was not detained because as a member of parliament he enjoys legal immunity. Authorities Tuesday extended a midnight-to-4am curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces for four nights as the government seeks to restore order in the capital, where arson and looting broke out last week after the army crackdown. Thaksin is idolised by many of the "Red Shirt" protesters for his populist policies, including cheap healthcare and village funds, but Thailand's elite see him as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy. His elected allies were later ejected in a controversial court ruling, paving the way for Abhisit's administration to be appointed in a 2008 army-backed parliamentary vote. The Reds, who are campaigning for fresh elections to replace a government they condemn as undemocratic, disbanded last Wednesday in the face of a military offensive that forced their leaders to surrender. Enraged militants within the movement set 36 major buildings ablaze including the stock exchange and Thailand's biggest shopping mall, Central World, which now stands in ruins. A leading human rights watchdog called on the Thai government to commission an independent investigation into abuses by all sides during the recent protests. "Now that the protests are over, the government should properly investigate and prosecute those who broke the law," said Elaine Pearson, acting Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch. "Lasting reconciliation begins with accountability." Source : XINMSN News

BANGKOK (AFP) -