Defiant Thaksin denies junta's corruption allegations

BANGKOK, (AFP)

Deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra denied allegations of corruption and abuse of power in an interview broadcast Saturday, in an apparent attempt to undermine the rationale for his ouster.

A defiant Thaksin told CNN that the junta, which overthrew his elected government on September 19, had yet to provide any evidence of illegal activity during his premiership despite its best efforts.

"(They are) baseless allegations, it's just a political tool. And I cooperate very well with all relevant agencies, but now they still cannot find any evidence against me," he said.

Military leaders have repeatedly justified their bloodless coup by saying widespread corruption during Thaksin's five years in office undermined democracy and divided the kingdom.

"I never bend the rules," said billionaire businessman Thaksin, who has been accused of corruption, nepotism, fixing elections and heavy-handed tactics against separatist insurgents and drug dealers.

"Everything is through the rule of law, not just trying to set up my own law, set up my own rules, no, I'm not a dictator," he added.

Thaksin insisted that he obeyed the law during a controversial business deal involving Shin Corp, the telecom giant he founded.

Thaksin's family sold their 49 percent stake in Shin Corp to Singapore's state-linked Temasek holdings for 1.9 billion dollars under a tax-free deal in January 2006.

The deal triggered months of street protests demanding Thaksin's resignation over alleged corruption, culminating in the putsch. Investigations into the sale are still underway.

"In selling equity through the stock exchange, it's tax exempt by law," Thaksin told CNN.