Taiwan Ex-President Chen Sentenced To Life In Jail

Wall Street Journal ^ | 9/11/2009

[SeekAndFind]

TAIPEI (Dow Jones)--The Taipei District Court sentenced former President Chen Shui-bian to life in jail Friday, after finding him guilty of corruption, including embezzlement, influence peddling and bribery, during his time in office.

Chen was absent from the sentencing - which the judges had approved - in a sign of protest against the ruling.

The sentencing comes after other members of the former first family, including Chen's wife, son and daughter, were found guilty last week of perjury and other charges, and given jail sentences.

The court also fined Chen NT$200 million and stripped him of his civil rights, meaning he can't vote or run for office. Chen's wife, Wu Shu-chen, was also sentenced to life in prison Friday.

Chen, 59, is Taiwan's first former president to be convicted of a crime. He left office last year after serving the maximum eight years as president.

"The court has decided on a life sentence in view of Chen's public background and position, and the damage to the country," Taipei District Court spokesman Huang Chun-ming told reporters.

The pro-independence Chen was detained in December. He had denied all charges and said the allegations against him and his family were part of a witch-hunt orchestrated by his China-friendly successor, President Ma Ying-jeou.

Chen dismissed his lawyers and had kept silent in recent court sessions in protest against his detention and trial.

[Mr. K]

I would applaud this if I could not get the picture of pelosi and obambi jailing Bush admin afficials for life

I guess we need to know if this is liberals (true evil) going after someone for having the wrong politics.

[4rcane]

if bush can be jailed, then so can obama as both have violated the laws multiple times already

[Elle Bee]

only banana republics put the previous government on trial

[mkjessup]

only banana republics put the previous government on trial

Exactly:

[Tainan]

The “trial” and legal proceedings, investigations, et al. against Chen and group were well underway prior to the end of his presidency.

[danamco]

Something for the couple in the W.H. to look forward to???

[Western Phil]

The “trial” and legal proceedings, investigations, et al. against Chen and group were well underway prior to the end of his presidency.

It appears then, that the corruption is real & this is not politically motivated?

[SeekAndFind]

only banana republics put the previous government on trial

I have to disagree with you a bit. having lived and worked in Taiwan for 4 years, and in China for some time, I am very aware of their politics.

This case was not payback for some policy disagreement ( e.g. the use of torture against terrorist to extract life-saving information ).

This case was about CORRUPTION, BRIBERY, FRAUD to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars while in office. The case dragged on for over a year and the evidence amassed was beyond reasonable doubt.

Chen and wife and his cronies were all found guilty of the charge. It would be a travesty of justice if Taiwan overlooked this massive corruption.

As for being democratic, heck I would argue that Taiwan is just as Democratic or even more so than the USA. Politicians are routinely made fun of on TV, radio and the news papers.

[Elle Bee]

and the new boss is a saint?

LOL They'll be running Taiwan from Macau soon

[SeekAndFind]

and the new boss is a saint?

Ma Ying Jeou, the current president is considered the George W. Bush of Taiwan. Taiwan's Southern part just got devastated by a Katrina-like Typhoon that killed hundreds of people. The majority of his cabinet members resigned as a result of his handling of this problem.

Definitely not a saint.

[Tainan]

Yes, quite real an on-going during his presidency. Bribery, mis-use of funds, money laundering, conspiracy...all the good stuff.

CSB (Chen Shui-bien) was quite an opportunist in his, along with his wife, son and daughter-in-law among a few others, in ripping off the Taiwan government for everything he could get his hands on.

[Tainan]

"and the new boss is a saint?
LOL They'll be running Taiwan from Macau soon"

If You want 'Saints', you should go to church. These are humans and politicians. The new Pres, Ma Ying-Jou is only the 3rd elected President here on the island. CSB was elected 2x's to the office, so the democratic representative form of government is still very much in its infancy here.
Frankly, the place is rife with corruption and its an ingrained part of life here. But more and more this is being dealt with.
Progress? Yes.
Slow? Yes.

And as to "...running Taiwan from Macau(sp)"....well, at least you didn't say 'Bangkok.'

[Elle Bee]

just my general cynicism - I wasn't playing favorites LOL

I've just seen the old boss/new boss finger pointing too many times - none of them should throw stones

.