Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has appeared in court to face criminal charges over a mismanaged rice subsidy program that cost the country billions of dollars.
Ms. Yingluck, who was ousted as prime minister last year, told reporters Tuesday she is certain she will not be found guilty of the charges, which carry a possible sentence of 10 years in jail.
Ms. Yingluck is is charged with dereliction of duty for failing to stop corruption within the subsidy program, which paid farmers about two times the market price for their rice.
The ex-prime minister claims the case against her is politically motivated and insists the subsidies improved the quality of life for Thai farmers. Her opponents say the program was an attempt to win the farmers' political support.