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Ex-Taiwan PM prepares for trial Ex-Taiwanese leader goes on trial
(about 4 hours later)
Former Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian is preparing to stand trial in Taipei on charges of corruption. The trial of Taiwanese former President Chen Shui-bian on corruption charges has opened in the capital, Taipei.
Mr Chen, 57, denies accusations that he and his wife made millions of dollars through forgery and money laundering.Mr Chen, 57, denies accusations that he and his wife made millions of dollars through forgery and money laundering.
He says he is a victim of a "government purge" and that he does not believe he will receive a fair trial.He says he is a victim of a "government purge" and that he does not believe he will receive a fair trial.
Since leaving office in 2008, Mr Chen has been a vocal critic of the new government's support for China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan.Since leaving office in 2008, Mr Chen has been a vocal critic of the new government's support for China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
Mr Chen, his wife Wu Shu-chen, 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 Wu Shu-chen, 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.
In February, Mrs Wu pleaded guilty to accepting a $2.2m (£1.5m) political donation in connection with a land purchase deal, but denied that it had been a bribe, as alleged by prosecutors.In February, Mrs Wu pleaded guilty to accepting a $2.2m (£1.5m) political donation in connection with a land purchase deal, but denied that it had been a bribe, as alleged by prosecutors.
She admitted charges of forging documents in a separate case but denied using the money for personal gain.She admitted charges of forging documents in a separate case but denied using the money for personal gain.
'Stand tall''Stand tall'
Mr Chen says the charges against him are politically motivated, and constructed by the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) government "in order to gain favours and protection from the Beijing authorities".Mr Chen says the charges against him are politically motivated, and constructed by the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) government "in order to gain favours and protection from the Beijing authorities".
Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been improving since the KMT, under Prime Minister Ma Jing-jeou, took office last year.Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been improving since the KMT, under Prime Minister Ma Jing-jeou, took office last year.
Mr Chen has also challenged the impartiality of the judging panel, saying the fact they had not allowed him out on bail in December was "punitive".Mr Chen has also challenged the impartiality of the judging panel, saying the fact they had not allowed him out on bail in December was "punitive".
"I must stand tall and appeal to the world. I must protest and tell my story for the sake of human rights and justice in Taiwan," AFP news agency quoted him as saying."I must stand tall and appeal to the world. I must protest and tell my story for the sake of human rights and justice in Taiwan," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
However, the KMT party said Mr Chen had failed to "set an example" as a national leader and would have to prove his innocence.However, the KMT party said Mr Chen had failed to "set an example" as a national leader and would have to prove his innocence.
The court date follows more than two months of pre-trial hearings. If found guilty. Mr Chen could spend the rest of his life in prison.The court date follows more than two months of pre-trial hearings. If found guilty. Mr Chen could spend the rest of his life in prison.
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.