BANGKOK, Feb 19 — The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ordered former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to appear on March 19 to hear if it will accept a criminal lawsuit against her for trial or not.
If she fails to appear before the court, it can impact her temporary release status or overseas trip request.
Theerathai Charoenwong, secretary to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, said the court told Ms Yingluck to be present hear the order at 10am on March 19.
In the meantime, the Supreme Court president will convene a general assembly of Supreme Court judges in 14 days so that nine judges can be selected to hear her case.
The attorney general arraigned Ms Yingluck with the court for malfeasance violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 123/1 of the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act for failing to stop her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme.
"If Ms Yingluck does not arrive at the court at the first appointment, there may be a condition for the court to decide whether to temporarily release her or allow her to leave the country," Mr Theerathai said.
Ms Yingluck could put up bail from today on to seek a temporary release, he said.
The statute of limitations of her case lasts 15 years after her alleged wrongdoing. (MCOT online news)
