Taiwan's ex-president Chen released on bail following indictment

Dec 12, 2008, 20:10 GMT

Taipei - Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian was released on bail Saturday following his indictment on corruption charges a day early.

The Taipei District Court agreed to Chen's lawyers' request for bail early Saturday, following a four-hour hearing that began Friday evening.

Until Chen stands trial, prosecutors bar him from leaving Taiwan or making speeches to seek public support.

Leaving the Taipei District Court, Chen thanked his two lawyers, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), supporters and the prosecutors.

'The past 31 days were the hardest and most lonely days in my life,' he told reporters. 'I want to thank the prosecutors for making the ruling and setting me free.'

Chen, 57, was arrested on November 12 on corruption allegations and has been detained at the Taipei Penitentiary.

On Friday, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office indicted Chen on charges of embezzlement, receiving bribes, document forgery and money laundering, allegedly committed during his two terms from 2000-2008.

Prosecutor Chen Yun-nan sought the 'severest penalty' - meaning a life sentence - for Chen and a harsh penalty for Chen's wife Wu Shu- chen, who allegedly helped him embezzle government funds and channel the money to overseas bank accounts.

Also indicted were Chen's son and daughter-in-law as well as 10 others, including Chen's relatives, friends and former aides.

Prosecutors said the former first couple had pocketed at least 490 million Taiwan dollars (14.7 million US dollars) through corruption, including the embezzlement of secret state funds and taking bribes from business people in two development projects.

But Chen denied any wrongdoing, saying he has been persecuted by the government of President Ma Ying-jeou from the pro-China Chinese Nationalist Party.

Chen's opposition DPP party urged Chen to bravely face the legal proceedings and pledged to provide legal support to Chen.

'Chen has been part of the DPP and he will alway remain our brother,' DPP lawmaker Yeh Yi-ching said.