A political network filed a petition with the prime minister on Wednesday, calling for convicted Thaksin Shinawatra to be returned to prison from the hospital where he has been since the night of his first day of incarceration.

Pichit Chaimongkol, leader of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand said that Thaksin, who claimed to be gravely ill, has been in hospital for 23 days already.

“We and many Thai people do not believe that Thaksin was or is genuinely sick. The illness is just an excuse for him to stay outside the prison, where he should have stayed. We demand that he is returned to prison immediately,” Pichit said.

Thaksin was transferred from Corrections Hospital to the Police General Hospital, citing several ailments that require professional doctors. The King has already granted a commutation, reducing Thaksin’s time in prison from eight years to one.

Pichit filed the petition at the Government House complaints centre. He also called for Srettha to repatriate political suspects who have fled to other countries, so that they can serve their jail terms.