Yingluck a no show for formal charge in Supreme Court
The Nation February 19, 2015 1:11 pm
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinwatra was formally charged in the Supreme Court Thursday in the rice-pledging negligence case but was not present to hear the charges.
Under normal practice, the former prime minister should met with the public prosecutor in charge of the case who would accompany her to the court for the formal arraignment.
Instead, she sent her lawyer, Norawich Larleng to submit her letter to the attorney general, explaining her reasons for not meeting the public prosecutor.
The letter noted that Thursday's process was for the public prosecutor to file charges against her in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office. As a result, she did not have to be there when the arraignment was made.
The letter insisted Yingluck would appear in court to prove her innocence once the court agrees to proceed with the trial.
In the formal arraignment, Yingluck was charged with dereliction of duty and causing huge damage to the state in the rice-pledging scheme.
The Supreme Court will make a decision on March 19 whether to accept or reject the lawsuit.
Norawich said Yingluck's decision not to turn up for the arraignment would not affect her bail if the court decides to proceed with the trial.