Thailand Orders Arrest of Ex-PM

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User
Posted Aug 14, 2007 5:50 PM CDT
Thailand Orders Arrest of Ex-PM
Manchester City's new Chairman Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, waves to supporters of his team before their pre-season friendly soccer match against Valencia at The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Saturday Aug. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Jon Super)   (Associated Press)

After failing to appear in a Bangkok court to hear charges that he abused power while in office, Thailand's deposed PM is now a fugitive of justice. The country's Supreme Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Thaksin Shinawatra, who took refuge with his wife in England last year after he was ousted in a bloodless military coup.

The court appearance has been rescheduled for September 25, and a second no-show could result in extradition charges, the BBC reports. Thaksin is accused, among other corruption charges, of setting up a shady land deal to benefit his wife. A rich tycoon before he took office, Thaksin is now the owner of a premier UK soccer club. (More Thailand stories.)

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