Yingluck facing impeachment
January 9, 2015
Former prime minister Yingluck told Thailand's National Legislative Assembly, appointed by the ruling military junta, on Friday that the whole procedure against her was an act of futility.
"I was removed from my position as prime minister. I have no position left to be removed from," Yingluck pointed out.
Yingluck, who swept to power in a landslide election victory in 2011, was removed from office in May of last year in a controversial court ruling shortly before the military seized power in a coup after months of mass protests against her rule.
She stands accused of dereliction of duty over a rice subsidy scheme that the country's anti-corruption commission has said cost the country around $4 billion (3.4 euros).
Under the scheme, the government bought rice from farmers at prices far higher than on the open market, leading to huge stockpiles building up.
Yingluck also used her opening statement on Friday to defend the program.
"Please look at the benefits of the scheme and not just the financial cost," she told lawmakers.
Potential 5-year ban from politics
If she is impeached, Yingluck would be automatically banned from running for public office for a period of five years.
Her supporters regard the case as being politically motivated, in part, as this would prevent her from standing for office in democratic elections that the junta has promised for early next year.
Yingluck is the sister of another former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was also removed by the military - in a 2006 coup. He has long lived in self-imposed exile to avoid being jail on a graft conviction.
Yingluck's hearing is to resume on January 16. Observers say the process could threaten to spark new unrest between supporters and opponents of the wealthy Shinawatra family
pfd/ipj (Reuters, dpa, AFP, AP)