JURIST - Paper Chase: Wife of Thailand ex-PM returns from self-imposed exile to face corruption charges

[JURIST] Pojamarn Shinwatra, wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [BBC profile; JURIST news archive], returned to Thailand from self-imposed exile Tuesday to face corruption and fraud charges. Pojamarn was arrested upon arriving in Thailand, and was released on bail after a brief appearance before the Thai Supreme Court for Political Appointees.

A Thai court issued an arrest warrant for Thaksin and his wife in August and a second warrant in September [JURIST reports]. Thaksin and Pojamarn have been accused of abuse of power for personal gain [JURIST report], conflict of interest violations, and dereliction of duty for personal gain in charges stemming from a 2003 land purchase by Pojamarn from the government-directed Financial Institutions Development Fund [official website]. Both have previously refused to return to Thailand to face charges because they do not expect to receive a fair trial [JURIST report]. AFP has more.

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