A Thai court has found former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra guilty of a corruption charge and sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

The Oct. 21 ruling was the first rendered against the former leader since he was ousted in a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. Thaksin was not present for the ruling, having fled into exile in England two months ago.

Thaksin faced charges of abuse of power and conflict of interest for allegedly facilitating his wife's purchase of lucrative Bangkok real estate from a state agency in 2003 while he was prime minister.

Thaksin's wife, Pojaman, who was tried with him, was acquitted. She is also in exile. Thaksin faces several other corruption-related cases.