Supporters of Taiwan's detained ex-leader stage protest
Posted: 15 November 2008 1939 hrs

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TAIPEI: Around 100 supporters of Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian on Saturday rallied outside a detention centre in Taipei where he is being held on corruption allegations.

Chen was arrested and formally detained on Wednesday and has been on hunger strike since then to protest what he calls a politically-motivated campaign against him.

The supporters, mostly from the former leader's southern stronghold, shouted "A Bian innocent" and "unfair justice" to protest his detention.

Chen, whose pro-independence stance in office set him against Beijing, has repeatedly accused the island's China-friendly government of being behind allegations of embezzlement, money laundering, taking bribes and forgery.

He is the first former Taiwanese leader to be arrested, and can be held for up to four months before prosecutors have to charge him.

His office is planning to stage a mass rally in a Taipei park on November 22 in a show of support.

- AFP/yt