Thailand’s embattled premier Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday defended herself against abuse of power charges in a court that will give its ruling tomorrow on whether to remove her from office, a verdict that could deepen the political crisis in the country.
Yingluck, 46, appeared in the Constitutional Court to deny the allegation and defend herself in the case filed by a group of senators who contend that then-national security chief Thawil Pliensri was replaced after her 2011 election for the benefit of her party.
The court’s president Charoon Intachan said the nine-member bench had heard enough evidence and was ready to give a verdict in the case. “The hearing is over... The court has decided to rule on May 7 at noon,” Charoon said.
The case, one of two legal actions against her premiership, comes as Thailand is facing a political crisis with the February 2 snap polls ruled invalid and uncertainty over elections in July.
Anti-government protesters and Yingluck’s supporters are keenly awaiting the verdict. If the court rules against her, she may be forced out of office. “I didn’t violate any laws, I didn’t receive any benefit from the appointment,” Yingluck told the court .
Yingluck has also been charged by the anti-graft National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with dereliction duty in connection with a rice subsidy scheme. If indicted on those charges, Yingluck would be suspended from office. Pro-government “Red Shirts” have vowed to protest if Yingluck is toppled.
Yingluck’s conviction on abuse of power charges could lead to her removal and a ban from politics. The court could also extend its verdict to cabinet members who endorsed the decision to remove Thawil. Buddhist-majority Thailand has been rocked by months of political violence that has left several people dead and hundreds wounded, including many anti-government protesters, in grenade attacks and shootings.