( dpa )- Potjaman Shinawatra - the wife of ousted premier Thaksin - on Wednesday denied corruption charges levelled against her at Thailand's supreme court for political office holders and asked for 90 days to prepare her defence.
Potjaman and her husband Thaksin stand accused of abusing political power with the purchase of a plot of land in northern Bangkok at a government auction in 2003 when Thaksin was still prime minister.
Thaksin, who was overthrown by a coup on September 19, 2006, on charges of corruption and dividing the nation, has been living in self-exile for the past 15 months but has vowed to return to Thailand in April to face corruption charges.
His wife returned to Thailand on January 8 in time to hear charges at the Supreme Court's Division for Political Office Holders that she abused her husband's political power with the 772 baht (23.4 million dollar) purchase of land on Ratchadaphiset Road.
On Wednesday, Potjaman denied all charges and asked for 90 days to provide evidence and witnesses in time for Thaksin, who is the first defendant in the case, to face the court in May.
Court judges asked Potjaman's lawyers to be prepare their defence by April 29 to 30, agreeing to set the next court date in May.
Potjaman entered the court accompanied by her three grown-up children, son Panthongtae and daughters Pinthongta and Paethongtan.
The two eldest children face tax evasion charges in connection with their family's 2 billion dollar sale of their equity in the Thaksin-founded Shin Corp telecommunications empire to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in January 23, 2006.
The tax-free sale sparked anti-Thaksin protests in Bangkok that escalated into a political crisis that culminated with a military coup in September.
After 15 months in self-exile, Thaksin's fortunes now appear to be on the rise again.
The pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP) won the most seats in the December 23 general election and is expected to set up a coalition government in mid-February.
Thailand's judicial system has been kind to Thaksin in the past. When Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications tycoon, was first elected prime minister in 2001 he faced charges of deliberately hiding his assets.
Under Thailand's previous constitution all politicians must declare their assets and sell all holdings in private companies and state enterprises to avoid conflicts of interest. Failure to do should result in a loss of political post and barring from politics.
In 2001 the Constitution Court voted five to four in Thaksin's favour, paving the way for his rise to unprecedented political power between 2001 and 2006.