Taiwan prosecutors file more charges against ex-president

Taiwan prosecutors on Tuesday filed more corruption charges against detained former president Chen Shui-bian and his wife, a spokesman said, adding to a long list of accusations against the pair.

The new charges were for “illegally taking political donations and bribes, and influence peddling,” the prosecutors’ spokesman said.

They suspect the couple accumulated 300 million Taiwan dollars (nine million US) in bribes, as well as accepting an illegal political donation, from two business people during Chen’s eight years as president, the spokesman said.

Chen, who left office last year after serving a maximum two terms, has been held since December on allegations of embezzling public funds, accepting bribes on a land deal, influence peddling, money laundering and forgery.

He and wife Wu Shu-chen, who was already accused of corruption and document forgery in connection with the same case, face life in prison for the earlier charges levelled against them.

Their son Chen Chih-chung, daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching and 10 others have also been indicted for corruption, money laundering and document forgery in connection with the massive case, which has captivated Taiwan for months.

Chen, who pledged to clean up Taiwanese politics when he was elected in 2000, has repeatedly said the charges are politically motivated and has accused his pro-China successor of leading a witch-hunt against him.

On Thursday the Taipei District Court is to decide if Chen will continue to be detained while investigators carry out more investigations.

According to Taiwanese law, there are no limits on how long Chen can be detained and previous efforts to be released on bail have failed.

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Category: Taiwan