TAIPEI (AFP) — Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian was indicted on Friday for corruption, just months after finishing eight years in office marked by a pro-independence agenda that badly damaged ties with China.
Legal experts say Chen, the island's first former leader to be indicted, could face life in prison if convicted on the charges of corruption and money laundering. His wife and son were also indicted in the sweeping case.
Chen, who pledged to clean up Taiwanese politics when he was elected in 2000, left office in May after serving the maximum two terms as president.
"We are seeking the severest punishment for Chen since the former president had breached his oath and showed no remorse during the investigation. He even attacked the judicial system," said prosecutors' office spokesman Chen Yun-nan.
Prosecutors say the 58-year-old Chen, a lawyer by training, and his wife Wu Shu-chen embezzled about three million US dollars in public funds and accepted a bribe of about 12 million US dollars along with two others on a land deal.
Their son Chen Chih-chung, daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching and 10 others were indicted for corruption, money laundering and document forgery in connection with the massive case, which has captivated Taiwan for months.
Prosecutors also allege that Wu took a kickback of 2.7 million US dollars in connection with a construction project in a 154-page indictment.
Chen's wife flatly rejected the charges against her in a statement.
"I was not a civil servant and I did not intervene in the cases cited in the indictment paper. The money in (our) overseas accounts was not gained illegally as a result of corruption," she said.
Chen was taken to a court in Taipei from the detention centre for a hearing late Friday on whether to release him on bail. He has been held since November 12.
The ex-president had admitted that he submitted falsified expense forms while in office but said the money was used for "secret diplomatic missions" and not for personal benefit.
He has repeatedly said the charges against him are politically motivated, accusing the China-friendly government of his successor, President Ma Ying-jeou, of leading a witch hunt.
Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which Chen once led, warned against political intervention in his upcoming trial.
"The case will have a huge impact on society and the DPP ... We urge the court to conduct a fair trial for Chen and to protect his legal rights," Tsai said.
While Ma himself declined to comment on the case, members of his governing Kuomintang (KMT) hailed the indictment against Chen.
Prosecutor General Chen Tsung-ming said authorities would continue to investigate Chen's alleged involvement in three other corruption cases involving financial reforms and diplomatic scandals during his presidency.
Chen's troubles began in 2006 when his son-in-law Chao Chien-ming was arrested for alleged insider trading. Chao was later convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Chen had admitted his wife wired 20 million US dollars abroad but said the money was from past campaign funds and she did so without his knowledge.
His family has agreed to turn over 21 million US dollars found in their Swiss bank accounts to the Taipei government.
A string of corruption scandals implicating the ex-leader, his family and top officials at his government tarnished the DPP's image during his time in office, and played a part in its defeat in the March presidential vote.
Since taking office, Ma has worked quickly to improve ties with China, opening new talks and air links between the mainland and Taiwan, which split in 1949 after a civil war.
China regards Taiwan as its territory -- and has threatened to invade if it declares independence -- and the stand-off between the two has turned the Strait of Taiwan into one of the world's most heavily militarised areas.
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