[JURIST] Lawyers for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] Tuesday threatened to bring a lawsuit against a committee investigating Thaksin's alleged corruption if it releases details of a report into a controversial land purchase [Wikipedia backgrounder]. Thaksin's lawyers believe that the release of the information would prejudice any case against Thaksin. Subcommittee chairman Udom Fuangfung had planned to release the information to demonstrate that the committee had not harassed those under investigation. Udom said he believes the group has a right to reveal the contents of the investigation file, saying nothing in the file would be prejudicial.

Thaksin himself was out of the country when the Thai military launched a bloodless coup [JURIST report] which removed him from power late last year. He remains abroad out of fears for his safety and what he describes as concerns for the stability of Thailand if he returns. Last week, Thaksin's wife pleaded not guilty to charges of tax evasion [JURIST report]. Thailand's The Nation has more.