Taiwan's ex-president Chen indicted for corruption (2nd Lead)

Dec 12, 2008, 11:12 GMT

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.