Taipei - Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian was
indicted on corruption charges Friday, becoming the first president
to be charged in Taiwan's history.
Prosecutor Chen Yun-nan announced that Chen was indicted on
charges of embezzlement, receiving bribes and money laundering,
allegedly committed during his two terms from 2000-2008.
'In taking oaths as the president of the Republic of China for two
terms, Mr Chen Shui-bian had pledged to abide by the law and
Constitution, devote to his duty, promote the well-being of the
public and defend the country. In his oaths, he had also pledged that
he was willing to take the stiffest punishment if he failed to do
so,' said prosecutor Chen.
'But he had knowingly violated the law. For this, we are seeking
the most severe punishment against him,' said prosecutor Chen.
If convicted the ex-president could face punishment of up to life
imprisonment, the prosecutor said.
He said Chen's wife Wu Shu-chen was also charged with the same
crimes, while their son Chen Chih-chung and daughter-in-law Huang
Jui-ching were indicted on charges of money laundering for helping
their parents laundered funds abroad.
Prosecutor Chen lashed out at the former first lady, saying she
had used her influence to take bribes and mess up the government
system. 'For this, we are also seeking the maximum punishment against
her.'
Prosecutor Chen said the former first couple had pocketed at least
490 million Taiwan dollars (14.7 million US dollars) through
corruption, including embezzlement of secret state funds and taking
bribes from businessmen in two development projects.
Chen Shui-bian's lawyer Cheng Weng-lung, however, called the
indictment against the ex-president and his family 'totally wrong.'
'It is highly unjust and unconvincing,' said Cheng.
The office of the former president also called the indictment a
'result of political persecution' by the government of China-friendly
President Ma Ying-jeou.
It demanded that the judicial authorities immediately release the
ex-president, who has been detained since November 12.
A panel of judges at the Taipei District Court was debating
whether to release Chen Shui-bian, whom prosecutors sought to
continue to detain for his alleged role in another graft scandal
involving several bank merger cases.
Ten other defendants, including the brother-in-law and
sister-in-law of the ex-president, his three aides, three friends, a
businessman and a former head of a science industrial park, were also
charged with forgery of documents, money laundering, and
embezzlement, prosecutor Chen added.
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