The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved on Thursday to bring impeachment proceedings against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over the rice-pledging scheme, with criminal charges to be the next decision.
NACC members Vicha Mahakhun, left, Panthep Klanarongran, centre, and Prasart Pongsivapai speak during a press conference on Thursday to decide to impeach former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over the rice subsidy scheme. (Photo by Tawatchai Kemkumnerd)
The NACC ruled by a vote of 7-0 to send the case to the Senate, recommending the impeachment of Ms Yingluck. The commission found there were grounds for charges of dereliction of duty in her role as chair of the National Rice Policy Committee, NACC spokesman Vicha Mahakhun said on Thursday.
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She had failed to halt the scheme after it was found to be incurring heavy losses due to possible corruption ''in all stages'', he said.
The NACC will forward the case to the Senate for impeachment proceedings. The case is expected to go to the upper house next week, he added.
Ms Yingluck was disqualified from the premiership on Wednesday by the Constitutional Court for abuse of power and conflict of interest in the transfer of Thawil Pliensri from the position of National Security Council (NSC) chief to the inactive position of PM's adviser in 2011.
Mr Thawil's removal was later ruled unfair and unlawful by the Administrative Court, a judgement confirmed by the Supreme Administrative Court in April.
Pol Gen Wichen Photeposri was transferred from the job of national police chief to replace Mr Thawil as secretary-general of the NSC. Then Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong was promoted from deputy police chief to national police chief. Pol Gen Priewpan was Ms Yingluck's brother-in-law at the time.
Even though Ms Yingluck now holds no political office in the administration, she could still face a five-year political ban if she is found guilty by senators at the end of the impeachment hearing, Mr Vicha said.
Ms Yingluck's worries are not yet over, as the NACC is considering bringing a criminal indictment against her.
This would be based on all evidence and witness statements against her in the ongoing proceedings, Mr Vicha said.
If the NACC concludes there are grounds to indict her, the case would be sent to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for judgement.
Mr Vicha said the decision on Thursday was based on evidence presented to the NACC, including witness testimony. There was no political motive in the decision.
Senator Prasarn Marukpitak told Spring News televison that the impeachment process must be completed within 45 days of the case being handed to the Senate.
Pheu Thai Party lawyer Pichit Chuenban called the NACC probe unfair, saying it was using the same information to decide on the impeachment and indictment. "They are two separate cases and the NACC should not use the same information,'' he said.
On Jan 16, the NACC agreed to launch an inquiry into Ms Yingluck's role in the rice scheme after an inquiry panel decided to bring formal corruption charges against 15 people involved in government-to-government rice deals, including former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and former deputy commerce minister Poom Sarapol.