BELGRADE, Serbia  

Serbia granted citizenship to former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, according to a published report Thursday.

Serbian state news agency Tanjug said the the decision was made during a session of government.

The government granted her citizenship "because it could be in the interest of Serbia," Tanjug quoted a statement from authorities.

Shinawatra can now travel without a visa to more than 100 countries, including European Union member states.

She was sentenced to five years in prison on graft-related charges after she fled Thailand in 2017.

Her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has citizenship from Montenegro.