TAIPEI – Former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian will serve more time in jail for corruption, the island’s high court ruled yesterday, in the latest twist in a saga that is taking on a new significance as the island heads towards presidential elections.
Mr Chen was Taiwan’s president from 2000 to 2008 and a vocal advocate of the island’s independence, infuriating China, which sees Taiwan as a renegade province it must recover, by force if necessary.
His latter years in office were dogged by allegations of corruption and embezzlement and his wife was charged in 2006. Mr Chen himself was not charged until his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost the 2008 presidential election and he stepped down, losing immunity from prosecution.
He is already serving 17 years and six months for charges including embezzlement of state funds, bribery, perjury and money laundering while in office. His wife was also jailed but remains in prison hospital due to poor health.
In yesterday’s ruling, he was given an extra two years on money laundering charges. He can further appeal these rulings, which come ahead of presidential elections in January that are seen as a referendum on the islands relations with China. – (Reuters)