International Desk: Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has been released on parole. He was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.

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Reuters disclosed this information in a report on Sunday (February 18).

According to reports, Thailand's convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole on Sunday, his lawyer said. With this, he started his first day free in his homeland 15 years after he was overthrown in a military coup and fled the country in the wake of it.

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According to Reuters, the influential billionaire's family is now in power in Thailand. He was released on Sunday after spending six months in hospital for abuse of power. Although he was sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power, the king of the country reduced his prison term to one year within a few days.

Thaksin was eligible for parole due to his age, health condition and was detained in hospital for health reasons. The car carrying him was seen arriving at the family's Bangkok residence about 25 minutes after he left the hospital early Sunday morning.

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Thaksin has completed the parole process and has been officially released, his lawyer Winyat Chartmontry said.

Incidentally, Thaksin Shinawatra returned home in August 2023 after 15 years of voluntary exile abroad. After that he was arrested and taken to court. From there he was sent to prison. He fell ill in prison and was sent to hospital. It was reported that his condition was critical there.

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Thaksin applied for a royal pardon within a week of his arrest. His application was finally granted and he was released on parole on Sunday.

SUN NEWS/MR