26 May 2010

Arrest warrant issued for former Thai PM

6:02 am on 26 May 2010

A court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges.

The government says it has video evidence showing Mr Thaksin encouraging demonstrators during anti-government protests in Bangkok.

The nine-week protest paralysed parts of the capital and left more than 80 people dead. it began on 14 March.

Many of the protesters were supporters of Mr Thaksin and the Thai government accuses him of fomenting the unrest.

Mr Thaksin was ousted by the military in a 2006 coup and later convicted of corruption in absentia. He now lives overseas.

The BBC reports Mr Thaksin rejected the charges in a statement issued through a legal advisor.