TAIPEI: The Supreme Count rejected yesterday an appeal by former "President" Chen Shui-bian against a lower court ruling earlier in the month to keep him in custody.

The Taiwan High Court ruled October 9 that the former "president" should remain in custody, on the grounds that he might abscond if released from detention. Chen later appealed the judgment in the Supreme Court.

Both Chen and his wife Wu Shu-jen were sentenced September 11 by the Taipei District Court to life in prison, in addition to receiving fines of NT$200 million ($6.13 million) and NT$300 million ($9.20 million), respectively, on several counts of corruption, including embezzling from a "presidential" fund for "state" affairs, taking bribes from local businessmen and money laundering.

Chen was first detained November 12 last year and released December 13 following his indictment. He was detained again December 30 - after the Taipei District Court approved a request by prosecutors to take him back into custody - and has not been released since.

With his appeal having been rejected by the Supreme Court, Chen will now have to remain in the Taipei detention center until late next month at the earliest, when the Taiwan Court is due to re-open a hearing on whether Chen should be detained for a longer period of time while his appeal against his jail sentence proceeds.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 11/06/2009 page2)