TAIPEI: Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian yesterday protested innocence and launched an offensive stance accusing prosecutors of presenting inadmissible testimony and blasting them for failing to bring his predecessor Lee Teng-hui to justice.

It was the first day of Chen's trial in a massive corruption case which has seen family members and close associates plead guilty to various charges.

Chen set the stage for the commencement of trial by going on a hunger strike which ended only a day before trial began.

Chen is indicted, along with his wife, on charges of illegally receiving funds, embezzlement and money laundering. The charges involve some NT$490 million ($14.7 million) in alleged illegal dealings.

Twelve others, including family members, former aides and associates also faced charges of money laundering, document forgeries and bribery.

Questioned about the alleged embezzlement from the "State Affairs" fund yesterday, Chen who often entered heated debate with prosecutors said he was unfamiliar with procedures for claiming reimbursement for expenses. He testified all he had done was to expend money given to him and he denied there was subjective intention to commit a crime.

Chen Chen-hui, the former "Presidential Office" treasurer, last week pleaded guilty to forgery, perjury, graft, and money laundering while handling Chen's funds. The guilty plea was considered a key development in the NT$104.15 million embezzlement case.

Instead of elaborating his knowledge of facts surrounding the case, the former leader launched his attack on the prosecution.

Chen's lawyers held a press conference on Monday, at which DVDs of witness interviews by the prosecution were made public. Included on the video recordings were interviews with the treasurer, Chen Chen-hui; former Chinatrust Financial Holdings Co vice chairman Jeffrey Koo Jr; Taiwan Cement Corp chairman Leslie Koo and former Hsinchu Science Park Administration Chief James Lee.

The defense lawyers declared the recorded conversations were inadmissible as evidence, on grounds that some parts of the recordings were muted, while other parts were deleted altogether. Defense counsel filed a petition with the court, asking for a change to a different jurisdiction saying the trial proceedings against Chen Shui-bian are tainted and unfair.

Chen Yun-nan, spokesman for the Supreme Prosecutor's Office Special Investigation Panel, dismissed the defense arguments. The prosecution spokesman pointed to the fact that the recorded conversations were backed with signed statements by witnesses and that the statements are "100 percent admissible as evidence at the trial".

The prosecution characterized Chen's attack on Lee Teng-hui, his predecessor, as an attempt by Chen to divert public attention from his own case.

Health issue

Chen Shui-bian's health became an issue at trial, as had the health of his wife, when she came to trial February 10th.

Chen voluntarily ended a four-day hunger strike after his wife visited him on Monday. It was his second hunger strike. The first took place in November, shortly after Chen was incarcerated. At that time, Chen didn't eat for five days, with the result that authorities had him hospitalized.

Two doctors were installed at Taipei District Court yesterday. The former leader appeared tired. Prosecutors made a point of urging Chen to speak up if he felt uncomfortable or unwell.

The hearing will continue until tomorrow. Chen made his first court appearance on January 18. Since then, ten of the 14 accused in the case have pleaded guilty to their roles in the case, including Chen's wife, son and daughter-in-law. Chen could face life imprisonment if convicted.

China Daily

(HK Edition 02/25/2009 page1)