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Taiwan first lady faints at trial Taiwan first lady faints at trial
(about 3 hours later)
The wife of Taiwan's embattled president has fainted during her court appearance in Taipei, where she is on trial for embezzlement and forgery.The wife of Taiwan's embattled president has fainted during her court appearance in Taipei, where she is on trial for embezzlement and forgery.
Wu Shu-chen, who has used a wheelchair since she was hit by a truck in 1985, was taken to hospital after collapsing during a recess. Wu Shu-chen, who has used a wheelchair since she was hit by a truck in an apparent attempt to kill her in 1985, was taken to hospital after collapsing.
The first lady denies illegally using state funds for personal expenses.The first lady denies illegally using state funds for personal expenses.
Her husband faces similar accusations but is protected from prosecution by presidential immunity.Her husband faces similar accusations but is protected from prosecution by presidential immunity.
He has promised to resign if she is found guilty.He has promised to resign if she is found guilty.
Under observationUnder observation
Wu Shu-chen and her co-defendants all pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, forgery and perjury when they appeared at court in the capital Taipei.Wu Shu-chen and her co-defendants all pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, forgery and perjury when they appeared at court in the capital Taipei.
SCANDAL TIMELINE March 2004: President Chen narrowly wins re-electionMay 2006: President's son-in-law held over insider trading claims. Charged in JulyAllegations of improper conduct involving Chen's wife and senior aides also surfaceJune: Chen cedes some powers to PM amid outcryUnprecedented opposition motion to oust him, which failsSeptember: Two weeks of pro and anti-Chen marchesOpposition launch new bid to recall Chen. Again failsOctober: Wu Shu-chen cleared of accepting shop vouchers in return for influenceNovember: Wu Shu-chen charged with corruption over handling of secret presidential fundsProsecutors say enough evidence to indict Chen, but he is protected by presidential immunity SCANDAL TIMELINE March 2004: President Chen narrowly wins re-electionMay 2006: President's son-in-law held over insider trading claims. Charged in JulyAllegations of improper conduct involving Chen's wife and senior aides also surfaceJune: Chen cedes some powers to PM amid outcryUnprecedented opposition motion to oust him, which failsSeptember: Two weeks of pro and anti-Chen marchesOpposition launch new bid to recall Chen. Again failsOctober: Wu Shu-chen cleared of accepting shop vouchers in return for influenceNovember: Wu Shu-chen charged with corruption over handling of secret presidential fundsProsecutors say enough evidence to indict Chen, but he is protected by presidential immunityDecember: Wu Shu-chen's trial starts. She pleads not guilty, but collapses during a recess and is taken to hospital
But 90 minutes after her arrival at court, during a recess, the first lady reported feeling faint. Television pictures showed her being rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital.But 90 minutes after her arrival at court, during a recess, the first lady reported feeling faint. Television pictures showed her being rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
A doctor at the hospital said she was suffering from an irregularly low temperature and slow heartbeat, but her condition was not life threatening, the Associated Press reports.A doctor at the hospital said she was suffering from an irregularly low temperature and slow heartbeat, but her condition was not life threatening, the Associated Press reports.
"We gave her some medicine, and her situation improved," said Lin Ho-hsiung of the National Taiwan University Hospital. "She is now under close observation. Her temperature and heartbeat are stable again.""We gave her some medicine, and her situation improved," said Lin Ho-hsiung of the National Taiwan University Hospital. "She is now under close observation. Her temperature and heartbeat are stable again."
The state of Wu Shu-chen's health had led to doubts over whether she would be fit enough to stand trial, the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei reports. Wu Shu-chen, who is paralysed from the waist down, is believed to have been ill for some time.
Concerns about her health led to doubts over whether she would be fit enough to stand trial, the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei reports.
It was not clear if the president's wife would be able to return to court later on Friday to continue the trial.It was not clear if the president's wife would be able to return to court later on Friday to continue the trial.
She faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if she is found guilty.She faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if she is found guilty.
Series of scandalsSeries of scandals
Taiwan's first lady and the three aides were indicted by prosecutors last month.Taiwan's first lady and the three aides were indicted by prosecutors last month.
The charges relate to the handling of a secret presidential fund used for diplomatic work overseas.The charges relate to the handling of a secret presidential fund used for diplomatic work overseas.
President Chen has vowed to resign if his wife is found guilty Wu Shu-chen denies the charges against her
Officials say around US$500,000 could not be properly accounted for, and accuse the president's family of using it for their own use.Officials say around US$500,000 could not be properly accounted for, and accuse the president's family of using it for their own use.
Mr Chen has denied the allegations, and claims the use of false invoices was to cover expenses incurred in secret diplomatic programmes.Mr Chen has denied the allegations, and claims the use of false invoices was to cover expenses incurred in secret diplomatic programmes.
The trial is being seen as a test of the independence of the judiciary, our correspondent says.The trial is being seen as a test of the independence of the judiciary, our correspondent says.
President Chen has been undermined by a series of scandals involving his family and his office in recent months.President Chen has been undermined by a series of scandals involving his family and his office in recent months.
He has already survived three opposition attempts, including one last month, to remove him from office.He has already survived three opposition attempts, including one last month, to remove him from office.
Earlier this week, another former presidential aide was sentenced to 12 years for accepting bribes.Earlier this week, another former presidential aide was sentenced to 12 years for accepting bribes.
Later this month, another court will deliver its verdict in a case of insider trading involving the president's son-in-law.Later this month, another court will deliver its verdict in a case of insider trading involving the president's son-in-law.