Thailand’s prime minister has appeared before the Constitutional Court in Bangkok to defend herself against allegations of abuse of power.
The complaint was filed by senators who said Yingluck Shinawatra’s party benefited from improperly transferring her national security chief in 2011.
Yingluck could be removed from office and banned from politics for five years if found guilty.
The decision is expected on Wednesday, the court said after the hearing.
Thailand has seen deadlock since anti-government protests began in 2013. The protesters, who are mainly urban and middle class, want Yingluck’s government replaced by an unelected “people’s council”.
In response, Yingluck called a snap election in February which she was expected to win, but this was disrupted by the protesters and subsequently annulled.
The prime minister is also facing several legal challenges.
Earlier this year, a different court ruled that she had improperly transferred national security chief Thawil Pliensri in 2011.
He has since been reinstated, although he was originally appointed by the previous administration and has been openly critical of Yingluck’s government.
The Constitutional Court will decide whether his transfer violated the constitution.
“I deny the allegation… I didn’t violate any laws, I didn’t receive any benefit from the appointment,” Yingluck told the court on Tuesday.
She added that replacing Thawil was for Thailand’s benefit.
Yingluck also faces charges of negligence over a government rice subsidy scheme which critics say was rife with corruption.
Her supporters believe the top courts are biased against her and the cases are an attempt by the elite to force her from office.
Last week, Yingluck’s government announced fresh polls on 20 July, but the opposition has rejected the date.
Anti-government protesters allege that Yingluck’s brother, ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, controls her administration and say Thailand’s democracy has been corrupted by money.
Yingluck and her Pheu Thai party remain very popular in rural areas, however, leaving Thailand deeply polarised. BBC
