Regime critic Watana Muangsook reported to public prosecutors for indictment over alleged irregularities in a low-cost housing project on Wednesday.
The former social development and human security minister was expected to be arraigned later today in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for alleged abuse of power and kickback demands relating to the Eua Arthorn housing project.
Nine others were also required to meet the prosecutors today to hear if they would be indicted for their roles in the alleged irregularities in the low-cost housing scheme.
Mr Watana, a key Pheu Thai figure, said he was "glad" the case was about to reach the court because the investigation by the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) had dragged out over ten years.
The NACC had finally forwarded its findings to the Office of the Attorney General in November 2016 after resolving to implicate Mr Watana in the Eua Arthorn housing case for alleged violations of Sections 148 and 149 of the Criminal Code.
Mr Watana insisted the project was transparent and corruption free, otherwise he would have been held liable to the damages. He said there was no administrative order requiring him to pay compensation.
The Pheu Thai politician said the probe against him, initiated following the 2006 coup, was politically motivated and that would be his defence in fighting the charges.
"We'll show the irregularities of the case since it was taken by the now-defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee. It is a simple case," he said.
Legal adviser Narinpong Jinaphak said his client would apply for bail and had prepared five million baht of assets to offer as security. He said the bail decision was entirely up to the court.
