Bangkok, March 19 (IANS): A Thai court on Thursday accepted a criminal case against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged malfeasance in a controversial rice-pledging scheme.
The case was accepted by Thailand's Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office, Xinhua news agency reported.
The first hearing is scheduled for May 19, a court statement said.
The case was filed by the office of the attorney-general, and if found guilty, Yingluck could face a maximum jail term of 10 years.
Supreme Court vice president Veerapol Tangsuwan has been selected to take charge of the proceedings of Yingluck case.
Yingluck did not appear at the court, but she will have to appear in person for the hearing.