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Taiwan first lady to miss trial Taiwan's first lady misses trial
(about 4 hours later)
Doctors have told the wife of Taiwan's embattled President Chen Shui-bian not to attend the second session of her embezzlement trial. The wife of Taiwan's embattled President Chen Shui-bian did not attend the second session of her embezzlement trial on Friday.
Wu Shu-chen is accused of illegally using state funds for personal expenses, charges she denies. Her trial is set to reconvene on Friday. Wu Shu-chen is accused of illegally using state funds for personal reasons.
Mrs Wu, who uses a wheelchair, has been in hospital since fainting during her first court appearance last week. Mrs Wu, who denies the charges, has been in hospital since fainting during her first court appearance last week.
She has been paralysed from the waist down since an accident in 1985. Opposition lawmakers accuse her of holding up the trial to prevent a possible guilty verdict from damaging the ruling DPP party's image.
"We recommend she stays at the hospital to receive treatment," a hospital spokesman told journalists. Mrs Wu, who uses a wheelchair, has been paralysed from the waist down since an accident in 1985.
"Her blood pressure is likely to fall suddenly if she stays seated for long periods."
The presidential office said that Ms Wu had been granted sick leave by the judges and would not attend, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported.
Personal usePersonal use
"She could easily go on asking for sick leaves so the judge could not issue a verdict before 2008," an opposition Nationalist Party lawmaker, Chiu Yi, told the Associated Press news agency.
However, a hospital spokesman told journalists it had been recommended that Mrs Wu stay at the hospital to receive treatment.
"Her blood pressure is likely to fall suddenly if she stays seated for long periods," the hospital said.
Ms Wu and three aides are charged over the handling of a secret presidential fund used for diplomatic work overseas.Ms Wu and three aides are charged over the handling of a secret presidential fund used for diplomatic work overseas.
Officials say around $500,000 (£250,000) cannot be accounted for and accuse the president's family of taking it for their own use.Officials say around $500,000 (£250,000) cannot be accounted for and accuse the president's family of taking it for their own use.
Ms Wu faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if she is found guilty.Ms Wu faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if she is found guilty.
The president faces similar accusations to his wife, but is protected from prosecution by presidential immunity.The president faces similar accusations to his wife, but is protected from prosecution by presidential immunity.
He has promised to resign if his wife is found guilty.He has promised to resign if his wife is found guilty.