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TAIPEI: Taiwan's high court on Sunday overruled a decision to release former president Chen Shui-bian pending his trial on corruption charges after prosecutors warned he may flee the island.
The decision, by a lower district court, "is a violation of justice.
Therefore the high court decided to retract the ruling," high court spokesman Wen Yao-yuan told reporters.
"The Taipei district court's ruling disregarded the evidence provided by the prosecutors who warn the defendant could collude with the other suspects and flee the country."
Chen was taken into custody in November and charged with embezzling government funds and laundering money - the first time a former leader of the island has faced criminal prosecution.
He was released on December 13 without bail pending trial. Since then, Chen and his lawyers have battled state prosecutors' attempts to get him back into custody for further investigation.
On December 17, the high court endorsed the prosecutors' appeal and ordered the district court to reconsider its decision, but the lower court stuck to its guns.
Chen faces life in prison if convicted on all counts. Thirteen other people were charged in connection with the case, including Chen's wife, son and daughter-in-law. Chen and his relatives have insisted they are innocent.
The 58-year-old former leader rose to power eight years ago pledging to fight corruption and left office in May after serving the maximum two four-year terms.
Chen has repeatedly said the charges against him are politically motivated, accusing the China-friendly government of his successor, President Ma Ying-jeou, of leading a witch-hunt.
- AFP/yb
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