Taiwan's former president indicted for corruption
Posted: 12 December 2008 1601 hrs

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TAIPEI - Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian, who angered China during his eight years in office with his pro-independence stance, was indicted Friday on several counts of corruption.

Chen, who once pledged to clean up Taiwanese politics, is the country's first former leader to be indicted.

He left office in May after serving a maximum two terms as president.

He and his wife Wu Shu-chen stand accused of embezzling millions of dollars in public funds and accepting a huge bribe in a land purchase deal.

Their son and daughter-in-law were also charged with money laundering.

Legal experts say the 58-year-old Chen, who was taken into custody a month ago, could face life in prison if convicted on all of the charges.

Chen, Wu, and 12 others were indicted on charges of corruption, money laundering, embezzlement and document forgery charges, a spokesman for the prosecutors' office told a press conference.

"We are seeking the severest punishment for Chen since the former president had breached his oath and showed no remorse during the investigation. He even attacked the judicial system," spokesman Chen Yun-nan said.

"Chen's wife meddled in politics for financial gains and destroyed the government system," he added.

Prosecutors say Chen and Wu embezzled 104 million Taiwan dollars (3.15 million US) in public funds and accepted a bribe of about 12 million US dollars in a land purchase deal.

Prosecutors also allege that Wu took a kickback of 2.7 million US dollars in a construction project.

But Chen, the former leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, has maintained his innocence throughout the probe, insisting his political opponents are mounting a "witch hunt."

Chen has repeatedly accused the island's current China-friendly government, led by his successor Ma Ying-jeou, of being behind the corruption allegations against him.

Following his arrest last month, he said: "The case is political persecution and a political witch hunt.

"I will not be imprisoned in vain.... Long live Taiwan democracy. Long live Taiwan independence."

Chen's troubles began in 2006 when his son-in-law Chao Chien-ming was arrested for alleged insider trading.

Chao was later convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.

The ex-leader has since admitted submitting falsified expense forms while in office but said the money was used for "secret diplomatic missions" and not for personal benefit.

Chen had admitted his wife wired 20 million US dollars abroad but said the money was from past campaign funds and she did so without his knowledge.

His family has agreed to turn over 21 million US dollars found in their Swiss bank accounts to the Taipei government.

Last week, Taiwan's former intelligence chief Yeh Sheng-mao was jailed for covering up Chen's suspected money laundering activities abroad.

Ma was elected in a landslide in March to replace Chen.

The vote was seen as a massive repudiation of Chen's rule, which was dogged by allegations of graft.

Since taking office, Ma has worked quickly to improve ties with China, opening new talks and airline connections between the mainland and Taiwan, which split in 1949 after a civil war.

China regards Taiwan as its territory -- and has threatened to invade if it declares independence -- and the stand-off between the two has turned the Strait of Taiwan into one of the world's most heavily militarised areas. - AFP/vm