Taiwan court puts ex-president Chen back in detention centre (Roundup)

Dec 29, 2008, 18:30 GMT

Taipei - The Taipei District Court Tuesday put graft- implicated ex-president Chen Shui-bian back into custody, two weeks after releasing him and prompting a public outcry.

The district court made the decision in the early hours of Tuesday after the High Court found the release inappropriate and ordered a review of Chen's release.

'Judge Tsai Shou-hsun ordered Chen be put back into custody because Chen is charged with serious crimes and there is the possibility he can destroy evidence or flee. Besides, 740 million Taiwan dollars (22.4 million US) Chen allegedly embezzled has not been found yet,' court spokesman Huang Chun-ming told reporters.

'So Chen will be put into custody again but will not be held incommunicado - but we will bar him from receiving visitors should the need arise,' he added.

After the court made the ruling, Chen was taken by police car to the Taipei Penitentiary as supporters and opponents gathered outside the district court.

Chen's lawyer Cheng Wen-lung called Chen's re-dention political persecution, and said he would appeal the court ruling.

'Chen Shui-bian wants to thank the public for their support. He said he will fight for Taiwan all his life,' he said.

Chen, president from 2000 to May, 2008, was detained at the Taipei Penitentiary on November 12 on a series of corruption allegations.

On December 12, he was charged with embezzling government funds, money laundering and taking bribes, but was freed without bail on December 13 by the Taipei District Court, triggering a public outcry as many people feared that Chen could conspire with others to destroy evidence of his alleged crimes and could intimidate witnesses.

Prosecutors probing Chen's case appealed against Chen's released, but the district court upheld its ruling on December 18. The prosecutors then appealed to the High Court.

The district court re-opened the hearing Monday afternoon, but Chen's lawyer Cheng called the court's naming another judge to preside over the hearing 'judicial interference.'

Chen, 57, claims the prosecution was politically motivated because his successor Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Chinese Nationalist Party wants to placate Beijing.

But Prosecutor Chen Yun-nan said said he has ample evidence proving Chen committed the crimes, and sought the 'severest punishment' for the former president.

Nearly 20 people, including Chen's wife, son and daughter-in-law as well as former aides, have been charged of crimes related to the Chen scandal.

A date for Chen's trial has yet to be announced. Legal experts said Chen could be given a life sentence.