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Taiwan High Court extends detention
period for Chen
By Rich Chang
STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010, Page 3
The Taiwan High Court yesterday extended former president Chen Shui-bian¡¦s (³¯¤ô«ó)
detention by another two months from Feb. 24.
High Court judges wrote in their ruling that Chen needed to be detained to
ensure a smooth litigation process because he stands accused of serious crimes
and there are still dozens of witnesses and defendants who have yet to testify
in court.
VALID REASONS
The reasons for Chen¡¦s detention, including the risk that he could abscond and
fears that he would collude with witnesses, remained valid, the ruling said.
For Chen, the extension of his detention ruling means he will spend the Lunar
New Year holiday in detention.
The former president has been held at Taipei Detention Center since Dec. 30,
2008.
Both Chen and his wife, Wu Shu-jen (§d²Q¬Ă), were sentenced to life in prison on
Sept. 11 last year by the Taipei District Court and fined NT$200 million
(US$6.13 million) and NT$300 million respectively on several counts of
corruption, including embezzling money from a discretionary state affairs fund
and taking bribes from local businessmen.
Chen appealed the ruling to the High Court.
THIRD EXTENSION
This is the third time the High Court has extended Chen¡¦s detention. The first
was from Oct. 24. to Dec. 24 last year, and the second was from Dec. 24 to Feb.
24.
The Democratic Progressive Party said in a statement the party regretted the
extension of Chen¡¦s detention ruling.
¡§Since Chen was found guilty in the first ruling, all investigations have
finished and Chen should be released so that he can better prepare his defense.
The party insists Chen be allowed to exercise his full judicial rights,¡¨ the
statement said.
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