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Ex-Taiwan leader indicted on graft charges

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-12 16:13

TAIPEI -- Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian was indicted on corruption charges, prosecutors said here on Friday.

Taiwan's former leader Chen Shui-bian (C) arrives at Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to be questioned about a money laundering case in Taipei November 11, 2008. [Agencies]

Although no specific sentence recommended to the court was disclosed, prosecuting spokesman Chen Yun-nan said they were seeking "the severest punishment" for Chen.

Chen, his wife Wu Shu-chen, his son Chen Chih-chung, daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching and 10 others were indicted on charges including corruption, money laundering, embezzlement and forgery, the spokesman told a press conference.

Prosecutors had just concluded their first round of investigations, he said. Chen and his wife were found to have embezzled 104 million New Taiwan dollars (3.15 million U.S. dollars) in public funds and accepted bribes of about 9 million U.S. dollars in a land purchase deal.

His wife was also found to have taken a kickback of 2.7 million U.S. dollars from a construction project, according to prosecutors.

Their son, daughter-in-law and 10 others were also said to have assisted in concealing the crime and remitting the money to overseas bank accounts.

However, despite his major crimes, Chen had shown no remorse during the investigation and attacked the judicial system time and again, the spokesman said. "So we are seeking the severest punishment for him."

Prosecutors also recommended a heavy sentence to his wife Wu for "using her status to interfere in politics and rake in money and undermining the system."

Since the probe has yet to completely finish, Chen would continue to be detained, said Prosecutor General Chen Tsung-ming.

Hsu Wun-Pin, a local lawyer, said Chen and his family's corruption case was not only a shame for themselves but a humiliation for the Taiwan public. Taiwan's image had been badly tarnished and it had a legal basis for the prosecutors to seek heavy punishment for him.

"Evidence speaks louder than words," Hsu said. "The evidence provided by the prosecutors is complete and precise, and the Taiwan people will see it clear that it is a judicial case instead of a 'political  persecution' as claimed by the defendant."

Chen was detained on November 12 on accusations of money laundering and misusing a special fund during his eight years in office. His term ended in May.