Thailand's Justice Minister announced that jailed former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra is due to be released as soon as the weekend, six months after he returned from 15 years of self-imposed exile.

Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed on Tuesday that the former Manchester City owner would be among 930 prisoners provided early release, and it is reported that Shinawatra may be subject to possible monitoring with an ankle tag and restrictions on travel.

“He is in the group where they are in a critical condition or aged over 70. He will be released after six months automatically,” Sodsong told reporters.

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Thaksin was Thailand's prime minister from 2001 until 2006, when he was deposed in a military coup and fled the country to avoid accusations which he claimed to be politically motivated.

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He returned to Thailand in 2008 and pleaded not guilty before the Supreme Court. Later that year, the lawmaker traveled to Beijing for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics and did not return to hear the ultimate court sentencing, breaking his bail conditions. After his asylum application was denied in the United Kingdom, he began traveling to other countries.
 
Charges against Thaksin included covert real estate dealings made by his wife while he was in power, tax fraud, and facilitating foreign loans through the Bank of Thailand.

Back in August, Shinawatra sought a royal pardon following his arrival, after being treated at Bangkok's major police hospital for having an asthma attack on the first day of his comeback aboard a private plane.