Ariane Kupferman-Sutthavong
The joint committee of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) has agreed to press a criminal charge against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in relation to the rice-pledging scheme.
On Tuesday, the NACC also recommended former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, his ex-deputy Poom Sarapol and 19 others be indicted for graft for their roles in government-to-government (G-to-G) rice sales.
NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljeak said the joint panel of the NACC and the OAG Tuesday completed their discussions over Ms Yingluck's alleged dereliction of duty in overseeing the controversial rice scheme and causing massive damage to the state following the Criminal Code' s Section 157.
Mr Sansern said the panel will ask the Attorney-General to indict Ms Yingluck with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions
Supreme Courts Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions
Meaning: a trial court in a case where the Prime Minister, a minister, member of the House of Representatives, senator or other political official is accused of becoming unusually wealthy, committing crimes with in office, performing duties dishonestly, or being corrupted according to other laws.
Thai Translation: ศาลฎีกา แผนกคดีอาญาของผู้ดำรงตำแหน่งทางการเมือง
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, which should proceed within days.
If found guilty, Ms Yingluck could face a maximum jail term of 10 years.
Earlier, the OAG had demanded the NACC question more witnesses and gather more evidence before it made a decision on indicting Ms Yingluck.
Meanwhile, NACC member Vicha Mahakhun told a press conference that Mr Boonsong, Mr Poom and 19 others, including high-level Commerce Ministry officials and private sector parties, would be charged with colluding to benefit two Chinese firms which were not authorised by the Chinese government to undertake G-to-G deals.