Thai PM found guilty of abuse of power

Thailand's constitutional court has ordered Yingluck Shinawatra (pictured above) to step down as prime minister after finding her guilty of abusing her power. The court on Wednesday ruled that Shinawatra had abused her authority by transferring a senior civil servant in 2011 to another position. It said the transfer was carried out with a "hidden agenda" to benefit her politically powerful family. The court also ruled that nine members of her cabinet were complicit in the abuse. Yingluck's supporters accuse the courts of toppling her through unfair use of the legal system, after six months of anti-government protests failed to unseat her. The ruling marks the latest twist in Thailand's long-running political crisis. Yingluck supporters have vowed to hold a major rally on Saturday, which many fear could spark violence. Protest fears On Tuesday Jatuporn Prompan, the chairman of Yingluck's "Red Shirt" supporters said: "I expect the verdict will not be good for the government.... I heard they want to sack the entire cabinet.". His group has vowed to come out on the streets if Yingluck is toppled, kindling fears of clashes between rival political sides. The constitutional court oversees cases of violations of Thailand's charter, which was rewritten after the removal of Thaksin Shinawatra from government in an army coup in 2006. Thaksin lives overseas to avoid jail for corruption convictions. Yingluck has also been charged by anti-corruption officials with neglect of duty in connection with a costly rice subsidy scheme that critics say fomented rampant corruption. An unfavourable ruling by that body could also lead to her impeachment and a five-year ban from politics. (By Agencies)