DHAKA: Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday gave prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra more time to submit her defence against allegations of abuse of power which could see her removed from office.

The premier, who has faced a series of legal challenges to her tenure as well as months of sometimes violent anti-government street protests, must give her defence by May 2, the court said in a statement, reports The Straits Times.

The case pivots on the transfer of then-national security chief Thawil Pliensri after Yingluck was elected in 2011.

A group of senators filed a complaint to the court over Thawil’s transfer, saying it was carried out for the benefit of Yingluck’s party.

Under the constitution – drawn up after a 2006 coup that ousted Yingluck’s brother Thaksin Shinawatra as premier – such an offence could lead to her sacking.

The court granted Yingluck’s request for a 15-day extension – starting from last Friday, when she made the application – and said it ‘will hear four more witnesses on May 6’ including Yingluck and Thawil.

But the statement did not indicate when the court may deliver its ruling.

BDST: 1857 HRS, APR 23, 2014