Thai PM: Fugitive former leader Yingluck Shinawatra in Dubai

Thailand’s prime minister says a preliminary investigation shows former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is in the Mideast commercial hub of Dubai.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha made the comments Thursday in response to reporters’ questions. It was the first official word on the former leader’s whereabouts since she fled Thailand last month.

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He says the information comes from a “preliminary informal report” compiled by Thailand’s foreign ministry.

A Thai court sentenced Yingluck in absentia to five years in prison on Wednesday for alleged negligence in a money- losing rice subsidy program. Her government was ousted in a 2014 military coup.

Officials in Dubai had no immediate comment.