Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
Yingluck Shinawatra Impeached by Junta-Backed Legislature, as many as 190 members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted in favour of her impeachment over her “failure” to stop corruption, with 18 voting against the move. The impeachment will ban her from politics for five years.
The charges against Thailand’s first female prime minister, who was removed from office for abuse of power in May days before a military coup, concern her role in scheme that paid farmers above market prices for rice and cost Thailand billions of dollars.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission investigating the case says Ms Yingluck was negligent for failing to stop losses from the programme.
Yingluck Shinawatra was impeached Friday by a vote of 190-18 in the 220-member National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which was hand-picked by the junta and is dominated by active or former military officers.
There were eight “no votes”, three invalid ballots and one member was absent.
Yingluck Shinawatra argues the allegations are politically motivated and has defended the rice program as a way to boost incomes in rural areas.
“Banning me for five years would be a violation of my basic rights,” Ms Yingluck said in an almost hour-long address to the NLA on Thursday, prior to the vote.
“This case that is aimed solely against me has a hidden agenda, it is politically driven.”
If found guilty of criminal charges, Ms Yingluck would face a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Agencies/Canadajournal
