Thaksin pleads not guilty to Thai graft charges

Deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra pleaded not guilty Wednesday to corruption charges, in the first case assembled by military-backed investigators to reach court.

Thaksin said little during the 20-minute hearing before the Supreme Court, which was packed with hundreds of his supporters who filled the courtroom and spilled out onto the steps outside.

After a judge read out the charges, accusing Thaksin of using his political influence to win his wife a sweetheart property deal, he was asked if he pleaded not guilty. Thaksin simply replied: "Yes."

The court also said Thaksin would not have to attend every hearing in his trial.