BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) – Two former senior monks are given
jail terms in one of several corruption cases involving temple fund
embezzlement.
A criminal court on Thursday handed down six-year jail
sentence to former Sam Phraya Temple abbot Phra Phromdilok and three-year jail
term to Somsong Athikit, former Phra Attakij Sophon who was then the secretary
to Bangkok’s monastic chief.
The court found them guilty of embezzling Bt3.5 million of state
funds in 2014.
Phra Phromdilok was among three senior monks stripped off
their titles last year as members of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC),
Thailand’s highest body for monastic affairs.
They have been indicted in widespread corruption scandals by colluding
with a former National Buddhism Office (NBO) chief to embezzle temple funds.
Both of them claimed that they used the fund for building
construction at the temple out of misunderstanding. Their lawyers said they planned to file an
appeal as their clients have been released on bail.
Several senior monks have been wanted for series of alleged
embezzlements of more than Bt200 million in state funds with clear evidence of
budget irregularities and money-laundering.
Some 10 suspects including former members of the SSC have been held
pending trial over charges while some others are believed to have fled the
country.
Regarded as state officials, Buddhist monks are held
accountable for government budget allocation.(TNA)
