March 12, 2008
Bangkok - Deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra pleaded not guilty to corruption charges at the Supreme Court.
A judge at the Supreme Court read out the charges against Thaksin, accused him of using his political influence to win his wife a property deal.
When the judge asked Thaksin if he pleaded not guilty, Thaksin replied: "Yes."
The court also ruled that Thaksin does not have to attend every hearing in his trial, according to AFP.
He has already been granted court permission to travel to Britain for four weeks, and is expected to leave Thailand later in the week.
"We are confident that we can answer all questions and defend against any accusations by the prosecutors," his lawyer Pichit Cheunban said.
Pichit said Thaksin requested permission not to attend every hearing so that his travel plans would not hold up the case.
"Sometimes Thaksin will be busy and unable to attend the hearings. So we asked for the trial to begin in his absence so that the proceedings will not be held up," Pichit said.
Wearing a black suit with a white shirt, Thaksin did not speak to reporters as he left the court, but greeted the hundreds of supporters waiting for him outside.
His son Panthongtae accompanied him to the 20-minute hearing. His wife Pojaman has already pleaded not guilty in the same case.
