Thailand’s Supreme Court today agreed to hear a corruption case against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra over alleged wrongdoing in a land deal, in the top court’s first case against the exiled former premier.

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, currently involved in a £81.6m (€121.2m) deal to buy Premier League club Manchester City, will not return to Thailand to face corruption charges because he fears for his safety.

Tensions rose in Thailand today as ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a video address to supporters who have been holding daily protests against the country’s coup leaders, and said he was being persecuted by those who replaced him.