July 11, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 25, 1428

BANGKOK, July 10: Thailand’s Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to hear corruption charges against toppled premier Thaksin Shinawatra, in the first graft case against the billionaire to reach court since last year’s coup.

Thaksin and his wife Pojaman have been charged over a controversial land purchase in 2003.

The former prime minister must now return to Thailand from exile abroad or face a possible arrest warrant.

“The judges have agreed to accept the case put forward by prosecutors. The first hearing will be on Aug 14,” said Tonglor Chomngarm, head of a panel of nine Supreme Court judges who will hear the case.

A court summons was expected to be delivered to the couple within three days, and prosecutors said the pair, who are currently in London, must appear at the first hearing to enter a plea.

“The defendants have to come to the court on the first day — after that, they can ask the court to proceed without them,” prosecutor Nanthasak Poonsuk said.

If they failed to appear, arrest warrants could be issued, he added.

Thaksin and Pojaman are each charged with two violations of anti-corruption laws. Thaksin is accused of illegally influencing a deal to allow Pojaman to buy land from a government agency at a bargain price.

The couple could be jailed for up to 13 years and each face a fine of up to 200,000 baht ($6,250) if convicted.

Both Thaksin and Pojaman denied the charges, their lawyer Noppadon Pattama said.—AFP