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Wednesday 21 January 2009
Chen Shui Bian's Kins Plead Guilty
Three relatives of Taiwan’s former president Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering, as part of a massive corruption case in which the ex-leader has been implicated.
TAIPEI - Three relatives of Taiwan’s former president Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering, as part of a massive corruption case in which the ex-leader has been implicated.
Chen’s son Chen Chih-chung, his daughter-in-law Huang Jui-chin and his brother-in-law Wu Chin-mao pleaded guilty, in the latest development in a case that has electrified the island since Chen himself was arrested in November.
The former president, who left office in May after eight years, has been charged with embezzlement, taking bribes and money laundering, influence peddling and blackmail and faces life in prison. He says he is innocent.
‘I’m guilty,’ Wu told a Taipei judge, while the younger Chen and Huang nodded when asked if they were guilty.
The couple apologised for the political turbulence the case had caused, and asked to speak with prosecutors about negotiating a reduced sentence.
Prosecutors say the suspects may have laundered at least NT$820 million (S$36.7 million). Chen and Huang said they would repatriate all funds laundered abroad, including NT$21 million held in Swiss accounts.
Chen insisted two days ago that he was innocent of taking bribes, as he appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing on charges he says are politically motivated.
The former leader had previously admitted that his wife Wu Shu-chen transferred US$20 million abroad but said that money was from past campaign funds and that she had done so without his knowledge.
Chen was fiercely in favour of independence from China, which considers the island part of its territory, and says he is the victim of a witch-hunt by the current pro-China government that took power after him last year.
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Chen’s Kins Plead Guilty
AFP
21 January 2009
TAIPEI - Three relatives of Taiwan’s former president Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering, as part of a massive corruption case in which the ex-leader has been implicated.
Chen’s son Chen Chih-chung, his daughter-in-law Huang Jui-chin and his brother-in-law Wu Chin-mao pleaded guilty, in the latest development in a case that has electrified the island since Chen himself was arrested in November.
The former president, who left office in May after eight years, has been charged with embezzlement, taking bribes and money laundering, influence peddling and blackmail and faces life in prison. He says he is innocent.
‘I’m guilty,’ Wu told a Taipei judge, while the younger Chen and Huang nodded when asked if they were guilty.
The couple apologised for the political turbulence the case had caused, and asked to speak with prosecutors about negotiating a reduced sentence.
Prosecutors say the suspects may have laundered at least NT$820 million (S$36.7 million). Chen and Huang said they would repatriate all funds laundered abroad, including NT$21 million held in Swiss accounts.
Chen insisted two days ago that he was innocent of taking bribes, as he appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing on charges he says are politically motivated.
The former leader had previously admitted that his wife Wu Shu-chen transferred US$20 million abroad but said that money was from past campaign funds and that she had done so without his knowledge.
Chen was fiercely in favour of independence from China, which considers the island part of its territory, and says he is the victim of a witch-hunt by the current pro-China government that took power after him last year.
No date has yet been set for the trial to begin.
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