Thaksin pleads not guilty to Thai graft charges

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BANGKOK, March 12 (AFP): Deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra pleaded not guilty Wednesday to corruption charges, in the first case assembled by military-backed investigators to reach court.
Thaksin said little during the 20-minute hearing before the Supreme Court, which was packed with hundreds of his supporters who filled the courtroom and spilled out onto the steps outside.
After a judge read out the charges, accusing Thaksin of using his political influence to win his wife a sweetheart property deal, he was asked if he pleaded not guilty. Thaksin simply replied: "Yes."
The court also said Thaksin would not have to attend every hearing in his trial.
The billionaire had requested that the trial proceed in his absence so he can travel overseas to tend to his investments, particularly the English Premier League club Manchester City, which he bought last year.