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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Former Taiwan president indicted | Former Taiwan president indicted |
| (1 day later) | |
| Prosecutors in Taiwan have formally indicted ex-President Chen Shui-bian and his wife on corruption charges. | Prosecutors in Taiwan have formally indicted ex-President Chen Shui-bian and his wife on corruption charges. |
| The charges include forgery and money laundering, a spokesman for the prosecutors said. | The charges include forgery and money laundering, a spokesman for the prosecutors said. |
| The 57-year-old former leader, held in a Taipei jail since 12 November while prosecutors probed his affairs, was later released on bail. | The 57-year-old former leader, held in a Taipei jail since 12 November while prosecutors probed his affairs, was later released on bail. |
| Mr Chen has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is being persecuted by his successors for his anti-China stance. | Mr Chen has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is being persecuted by his successors for his anti-China stance. |
| He has been a vocal and persistent critic of the new government's China policies since he left office in May, at the end of eight years in the presidency. | He has been a vocal and persistent critic of the new government's China policies since he left office in May, at the end of eight years in the presidency. |
| His accusations have been denied by both the Chinese government and Taiwan's current President Ma Ying-jeou, of the Nationalist Kuomingtang party (KMT). | His accusations have been denied by both the Chinese government and Taiwan's current President Ma Ying-jeou, of the Nationalist Kuomingtang party (KMT). |
| 'Severest punishment' | 'Severest punishment' |
| Mr Chen, his wife, and 12 others were indicted on charges of corruption, money laundering, embezzlement and document forgery charges, a spokesman for the prosecutors' office said. | Mr Chen, his wife, and 12 others were indicted on charges of corruption, money laundering, embezzlement and document forgery charges, a spokesman for the prosecutors' office said. |
| The couple stand accused of embezzling millions of dollars in public funds and accepting a huge bribe in a land purchase deal. | The couple stand accused of embezzling millions of dollars in public funds and accepting a huge bribe in a land purchase deal. |
| The prosecutors took a month to conduct their investigation | |
| We are seeking the severest punishment for Chen since the former president had breached his oath and showed no remorse during the investigation," a prosecution spokesman told reporters. | |
| Legal experts say the former leader could face life in prison if convicted of all the charges against him. | Legal experts say the former leader could face life in prison if convicted of all the charges against him. |
| Mr Chen has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, insisting his political opponents are mounting a "witch-hunt" against him, and accusing the new administration of making him "a sacrifice to appease China". | Mr Chen has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, insisting his political opponents are mounting a "witch-hunt" against him, and accusing the new administration of making him "a sacrifice to appease China". |
| He is an ardent supporter of Taiwanese independence, and a trenchant critic of President Ma's stance of expanding ties with Beijing. | He is an ardent supporter of Taiwanese independence, and a trenchant critic of President Ma's stance of expanding ties with Beijing. |
| Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan to create a self-governing entity. | Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan to create a self-governing entity. |
| But Beijing sees the island as a breakaway province which should be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. | But Beijing sees the island as a breakaway province which should be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. |
| Damaged reputation? | Damaged reputation? |
| Mr Chen and his family have been mired in corruption allegations since July 2006, when his son-in-law was charged with insider trading on the stock market and then jailed for seven years. | Mr Chen and his family have been mired in corruption allegations since July 2006, when his son-in-law was charged with insider trading on the stock market and then jailed for seven years. |
| The following November, his wife faced charges of corruption and forgery. | The following November, his wife faced charges of corruption and forgery. |
| Presidential immunity prevented prosecutors from charging Mr Chen when he was in office, but now they are free to take action. | Presidential immunity prevented prosecutors from charging Mr Chen when he was in office, but now they are free to take action. |
| Observers say the charges have damaged the reputation of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party. | Observers say the charges have damaged the reputation of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party. |