Chen held over Taiwan inquiry into corruption

[shan]

Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan's former president, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of corruption and embezzlement during his eight years in power, a development that threatens to widen the island's political divide.

The arrest is the latest twist in a long-running corruption inquiry into Mr Chen's family's alleged misuse of state funds and campaign finances during his administration.

Mr Chen, who advocated Taiwan's independence to the irritation of Beijing and Washington, ended half a century's rule by the Kuomintang party when he was elected president in 2000. He has been the subject of a corruption inquiry since he stepped down in May.

The former president was questioned by prosecutors yesterday and later led away in handcuffs to the district court, where three judges were to rule on whether he could be detained without charge. The judges had yet to make a decision by late last night, as Mr Chen complained in court that he was beaten by bailiffs and had to be taken to a hospital to be diagnosed.

Mr Chen, who has not yet been formally charged in this investigation, has long denied the corruption allegations and said yesterday the arrest was politically motivated. According to prosecutors, Mr Chen allegedly embezzled T$14.8m ($450,000, €359,000, £292,000) from the government.

As he was taken from the prosecutor's office, Mr Chen lifted his handcuffed hands and shouted: “Political persecution.”

Mr Chen and members of his family have been named as defendants in a separate money-laundering case.

[shan]

Chen's cell , no bed.


the detention center for new prisoners



everything is monitored



lunch... Chen didn't touch it



his wife gave him three books ," The independence movement in Taiwan" , " The betrayed Taiwan"  and "Bible"

[Polly]

HO HO HO

[shan]

Following his ongoing hunger strike, former President Chen Shuibian was taken to Far Eastern Memorial hospital in Banqiao on Sunday and transferred to Taipei County Banqiao hospital Monday morning. A large number of police were mobilized to control traffic and ensure Chen received his guarded hospital room safely, where he is expected to remain for 2-3 days. A source from Far Eastern Memorial Hospital revealed that tests showed the former President's blood pressure, heartbeat and blood sugar all to be within normal parameters.

Former President Chen Shuibian was rushed to the hospital feeling weak yesterday. After being placed on observation for a night, he was transferred to Taipei County Banqiao hospital this morning. Reporters were clamoring to know just how ill is Chen? Far Eastern Memorial hospital provided the answer.

Chen Shuibian's blood pressure is 118 over 80, which is within the normal standard of 130 over 85.

His heartbeat is 94 beats a minute, well within the normal standard of 100 beats a minute.

Former President Chen's blood sugar level is around 100 is within the normal level for someone who has not eaten which is generally in between 50-100.

The question has to be then, if there is nothing wrong with Chen then why is he being kept in hospital?

The main reason he was kept in hospital for observation is that we discovered a few changes that can occur when someone doe not eat for an extended period of time, that is a change in his metabolic rate.

As to what sort of metabolic changes refers to doctors were unwilling to go into further detail. Whether such changes have any after effects on Chen Shui-bian’s health remains to be seen.