Former Taiwan leader Chen back in jail on corruption charge

TAIPEI, Dec. 30 (Chinese media) -- Former Taiwan leader Chen

Shui-bian was back in prison on corruption charges following a verdict by the

Taipei District Court.

The court delivered its verdict Tuesday morning after a

12-hour hearing.

Chen was taken back to jail at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday but

the court verdict allowed him to meet his lawyer and family.

The court said it feared that if Chen were free he

could commit serious crimes and could tamper with witnesses and evidence or even

abscond.

Chen and his wife were charged with embezzling 104

million New Taiwan dollars (3.15 million U.S. dollars) in public funds and

accepting bribes of about 9 million U.S. dollars in a land purchase deal.

At the beginning of the Monday hearing, Chen's lawyer

requested the withdrawal of the judge to prevent the trial from being carried

out. But the request was overruled.

The district court had earlier agreed twice to

release Chen without bail. Prosecutors successfully challenged the verdicts

twice in a higher court.

Chen was first indicted by prosecutors on Dec. 12 for

money laundering and taking bribes during his eight years in office, which ended

in May. Chen had been in custody for investigation since Nov. 12.

The district court decided to release him without

bail on Dec 13, but banned him from leaving the island. Prosecutors appealed his

release on Dec. 16, and the high court's first overruling followed on Dec. 17.

The second appeal was made last Thursday after the

district court again released Chen without bail on Dec. 18.

The district court appointed Tsai Shou-hsum to the

case. He is also presiding judge of corruption case against Chen's wife.