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TAIPEI: Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian was questioned on Tuesday over corruption claims amid tight security as dozens of supporters gathered to protest his innocence.
About 3,000 police were deployed outside the prosecutor's office, police said, as around 100 people rallied and shouted "Ah-Bian innocent," calling the ex-leader by his nickname.
The pro-independence Chen Monday said he would refuse to answer prosecutors' questions - a move that could lead to his detention.
He again accused the Kuomintang (KMT) government of persecuting him under pressure from Beijing before the questioning Tuesday.
"The KMT and the Chinese Communist Party see me as their number one prisoner as I am the biggest stone blocking their way to reunification," Chen told reporters.
Chinese envoy "Chen Yunlin had a bad time in Taiwan... so (Taiwan's President) Ma Ying-jeou wants to put me in jail as a sacrifice to appease China. I am very honoured and proud to play such a role."
Chen Yunlin made a historic visit to Taiwan last week that brought the two sides closer economically, but which was marred by huge anti-China protests that left scores injured.
Chen Shui-bian, who retired in May after eight years, is under investigation for allegedly embezzling NT$14.8 million (US$480,500) from the government. His wife is on trial in the same case.
He has admitted using false receipts to claim money from the state, but insisted those funds were used for "secret diplomatic missions" - not his personal benefit.
The ex-leader, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and brother-in-law have all been named as defendants in a separate money laundering case.
Taiwanese prosecutors say US$21 million was sent to Swiss bank accounts belonging to Chen's daughter-in-law in 2007. The funds have since been frozen.
Chen has admitted his wife wired US$20 million abroad from past campaign funds but said she did so without his knowledge. He denies laundering money.
- AFP/yb
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