[JURIST] Thai investigators formally asked state prosecutors Friday to bring new charges against former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] and his wife Pojamarn Shinawatra for allegedly concealing assets. Pojamarn returned to Thailand from self-imposed exile [JURIST report] last month to face corruption and fraud charges. She was arrested upon arriving in Thailand, and was released on bail after a brief appearance before the Thai Supreme Court for Political Appointees.

A Thai court issued an arrest warrant for Thaksin and his wife in August and a second warrant in September [JURIST reports]. Thaksin and Pojamarn have been accused of abuse of power for personal gain [JURIST report], conflict of interest violations, and dereliction of duty for personal gain in charges stemming from a 2003 land purchase by Pojaman from the government-directed Financial Institutions Development Fund [official website]. Both have previously refused to return to Thailand to face charges because they do not expect to receive a fair trial [JURIST report]. Thaksin is expected to return to Thailand in May [JURIST report] to face corruption charges. Xinhua has more. The Bangkok Post has local coverage.