World News joined 5

[OMEN]

Bangkok - Deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to corruption charges, in the first case assembled by military-backed investigators to reach court.

Thaksin said little during the 20-minute hearing before the Supreme Court, which was packed with hundreds of his supporters who filled the courtroom and spilled out onto the steps outside.

After a judge read out the charges, accusing Thaksin of using his political influence to win his wife a sweetheart property deal, he was asked if he pleaded not guilty. Thaksin simply replied: "Yes."

The court also said Thaksin would not have to attend every hearing in his trial.

The billionaire had requested that the trial proceed in his absence so he can travel overseas to tend to his investments, particularly the English Premier League club Manchester City, which he bought last year.

Thaksin has already been granted court permission to travel to Britain for a month. He is expected to leave Thailand later in the week.

Thaksin's arraignment came less than two weeks after his jubilant return to Thailand, ending nearly 18 months in self-imposed exile following the 2006 military-backed coup against him.

The military toppled Thaksin over allegations of widespread corruption, but after 16 months in power, failed to win any convictions against him.

Thaksin and his wife each face up to 13 years in prison over two graft charges alleging she used his political influence to buy prime Bangkok property in 2003 from a government agency at about one-third of its estimated value.

AFP

[JohnCenaFan28]

Thanks for the read.