Wu Shu-chen, wife of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, did not attend the second session of her trial on corruption charges in Taipei on Friday.

Wu Shu-chen, wife of Taiwan leader  Chen Shui-bian, gestures while attending at the Taipei District Court in Taipei, December 15, 2006. [AFP/file]

Wu fainted during the first session of her trial last Friday and has been in hospital since.

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Doctors advised her not to attend the trial because she was still weak and her blood pressure may drop suddenly if she remains seated for long periods. She handed a medical certificate to the court on Thursday night and asked for permission not to appear.

Wu, paralyzed from the waist down following a 1985 accident, suffers from low blood pressure and stomach problems.

She is accused of embezzlement, forgery of documents and perjury, involving NT$14.8 million (US$448,500), charges to which she has pleaded not guilty.

Three of Chen's close aides, Ma Yung-cheng, Lin Teh-hsiun and Chen Cheng-hui, attended Friday's trial, where they also pleaded not guilty.

They were indicted on charges involving the alleged misuse of a secret office fund.

Prosecutors also claimed to have evidence to indict Taiwan leader Chen on charges of graft and the forgery of documents in connection with the secret office fund, but his status as leader renders him immune from criminal charges and a formal indictment against him will have to wait until the expiry of his term of office in 2008.

The judge decided on Friday afternoon that the third session of the trial will take place on December 29 and asked Wu through her lawyer to attend if her physical condition is fine.

The court also required Chen's office to hand in evidence in defence by midday on December 27.