Taiwan’s ex-president remains free

[admin]

Taiwan’s ex-president remains free
« Thread Started on Dec 18, 2008, 10:53am »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taiwan’s ex-president remains free
Posted: 12:04 PM ET
TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) — Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, facing corruption charges, remained free on bail Thursday after a nearly eight-hour court hearing in which judges heard prosecutors’ arguments that he should be jailed but upheld a previous decision to release him.

Chen was freed last week after spending a month in jail while prosecutors prepared his indictment on several corruption charges, including embezzlement and accepting bribes. Judges ordered Chen released after the indictment was formally presented, saying he was not believed to be a flight risk. No trial date has been indicated in court papers.

The former president, whose term ended in May, is accused of embezzling 600 million new Taiwan dollars, or about $18 million U.S. Prosecutors allege he also took bribes, laundered money and illegally removed classified documents from the president’s office.

Chen, 58, has denied any wrongdoing and insists the charges are politically motivated.