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Thai ex-PM accused of corruption Thai ex-PM accused of corruption
(about 1 hour later)
Thai prosecutors have filed corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.Thai prosecutors have filed corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He is accused of illegally helping his wife buy government-owned land at a bargain price four years ago.He is accused of illegally helping his wife buy government-owned land at a bargain price four years ago.
Mr Thaksin has been living abroad, mainly in London, since he was overthrown in a bloodless military coup last September. Mr Thaksin, the front-runner to buy English Premier League football club Manchester City, was overthrown in a bloodless military coup last September.
The former Thai leader denies any wrongdoing and has said the moves against him are politically motivated. The former Thai leader, who currently lives abroad, mainly in London, denies any wrongdoing.
The Supreme Court said it would decide on 10 July if it would hear the case. He has repeatedly insisted that the moves against him are politically motivated.
If it goes ahead, Mr Thaksin and his wife would reportedly be required to attend opening arguments.
Land dealLand deal
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says that since they took power, the Thai military authorities have been under sustained public pressure to prove their accusations of corruption and abuses of power against Mr Thaksin.
Now for the first time prosecutors say they have a strong enough case to file formal charges.
The charges relate to the purchase of a plot of land in Bangkok by Mr Thaksin's wife Pojaman, for 772m baht ($24m; £12m).The charges relate to the purchase of a plot of land in Bangkok by Mr Thaksin's wife Pojaman, for 772m baht ($24m; £12m).
The land, owned by a government agency, had earlier been valued at 2.1bn baht.The land, owned by a government agency, had earlier been valued at 2.1bn baht.
Mr Thaksin is accused of illegally influencing the deal.Mr Thaksin is accused of illegally influencing the deal.
The Supreme Court said it would decide on 10 July if it would hear the case.
If it goes ahead, Mr Thaksin and his wife would reportedly be required to attend opening arguments.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says that since they took power, the Thai military authorities have been under sustained public pressure to prove their accusations of corruption and abuses of power against Mr Thaksin.
Now for the first time prosecutors say they have a strong-enough case to file formal charges.
Besides the land deal, investigations into 12 other cases are under way.Besides the land deal, investigations into 12 other cases are under way.
Around 53bn baht of his assets have been frozen, putting into question his much-publicised bid to buy English Premier League football club Manchester City.
Earlier this week, Thai police said they wanted to question Mr Thaksin over another case of alleged graft involving a property company owned by his family.Earlier this week, Thai police said they wanted to question Mr Thaksin over another case of alleged graft involving a property company owned by his family.
There were initial reports Mr Thaksin would be required to go to a Bangkok police station, but police later said his lawyers could appear on his behalf.There were initial reports Mr Thaksin would be required to go to a Bangkok police station, but police later said his lawyers could appear on his behalf.