(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who fled the country in 2008, returned from exile on Tuesday to face justice and a prison sentence of eight years from the supreme court.
Shinwatra, 74, affirmed in a post on his Social Media account in X, formerly Twitter, that the charges against him were politically motivated.
Charges against Shinawarta from the court revolves around abusing authority in issuing illegal directives on a foreign loan to a state-owned bank as well as obtaining shares via illicit means.
The "Bangkok Post" newspaper said that the prison authorities would monitor Shinawatra's health closely so he could stand trial.
Shinawatra's return came a few hours from the Thai parliament's expected assignment of Businessman Srettha Thavisin of the Peu Thai Party as Prime Minister.
The Peu Thai Party has strong connections with Shinawatra's family.
Thailand is governed by a caretaking government since March of 2022 as parliament reached a weeks-long road block due to the locking of horns between the Senate and the "Move Forward" Party, which won the last elections in May.
The matter for forming government is now in the hands of the Peu Thai Party. (end)
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