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Taiwan president's wife collapses at corruption trial
2006-12-16
The wife of Taiwan's embattled President Chen Shui-bian collapsed shortly after she pleaded not guilty at the start of her high-profile trial on corruption and forgery charges. Wu Shu-chen, accused of illegally claiming 14.8 million Taiwan dollars (450,000 US dollars) in personal expenses from state funds, was rushed to nearby National Taiwan University Hospital after she fainted during a recess. "Not guilty," Wu replied earlier in the day when questioned by the chief judge. The morning session, which was broadcast live to reporters at an auditorium, was briefly interrupted by her absence. "She was very tired ... her condition was urgent but her blood pressure and body temperature were returning to normal. We have to closely monitor her condition," said a hospital spokesman. The court session resumed around 14:30 pm (0630 GMT) and ended two hours later without the wheelchair-bound Wu, as the 54-year-old remained in hospital for observation. The next hearing was scheduled for Friday next week. "We will obtain a statement (on Wu's condition) from the hospital as the judges required," said Wu's chief lawyer Ku Li-hsiung. The landmark corruption case could end Chen's presidency as the leader has promised to resign if his wife is found guilty. Prosecutors last month indicted Wu and three presidential aides and named Chen a suspect in the scandal. All three aides also pleaded not guilty. The president, who has denied any wrongdoing, escaped immediate prosecution because of presidential immunity. The corruption charge carries a minimum seven-year prison term and forgery at least one year. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Friday pointed a finger at the court for the way it treated the first lady. "We are shocked by this and we felt sorry for her. I urge (the court) to show more concern and respect for her. The court lacks humanity in the way it handles the case," said DPP parliamentary whip Ker Chien-ming. The indictment of Wu, the first Taiwanese leader's wife to be prosecuted, sent political shockwaves through the nation and forced the DPP to suspend her membership for 18 months. Wu, paralysed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair since she was run over by a van in 1984, was once her husband's leading asset on the campaign trail. She has been in poor health in recent months. The president has admitted using false receipts to claim money from a fund set aside for affairs of national importance, but insists that it was used for "secret diplomatic missions" that he could not disclose. Prosecutors, however, found that at least 1.5 million dollars were spent on diamond rings and other luxury items for his wife. The opposition says it suspects a lot of the money went into the pockets of the president and his family. Despite mounting calls for him to resign over a string of corruption scandals implicating himself and his family, Chen has insisted he will stay until his second and final term ends in May 2008. His son-in-law, Chao Chien-ming, has gone on trial for insider trading, and a verdict is expected later this month. Chen Che-nan, a former senior presidential aide, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for graft by a district court Wednesday. Last month, Chen survived a third parliamentary vote aimed at ousting him after the opposition failed to garner enough support. Two earlier recall motions failed to pass in June and October.
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