Ousted Thailand PM Yingluck Shinawatra sentenced in absentia to 5 years

In this July 21, 2017, file photo, Thailand’s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets supporters as she arrives at the Supreme Court to make her final statements in a trial on a charge of criminal negligence in Bangkok, Thailand.  (AP Photo)

Thailand’s top court on Wednesday sentenced ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra in absentia to five years in prison for criminal negligence. Yingluck, whose elected government was toppled in a 2014 coup, fled the country last month after being charged over her government’s failed rice policy.

“The court found that the defendant is guilty as charged… the court has sentenced her to five years in prison and the court also unanimously agreed that the sentence will not be suspended,” the judge said.