Taiwan considers releasing jailed former president for medical treatment
Panel to review case of Chen Shui-bian who is serving a 20-year prison term for corruption
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 18 December, 2014, 2:30pm
UPDATED : Thursday, 18 December, 2014, 2:30pm
Minnie Chan
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Former president Chen Shui-bian pictured in 2009 as he is led into detention. His supporters have threatened to go on hunger strike if he is not formally released from prison. Photo: AP
A senior Ministry of Justice official in Taiwan has said it is considering releasing former president Chen Shui-bian from prison to receive medical treatment.
Deputy Justice Minister Chen Ming-tang said that for humanitarian reasons a 15-member panel would consider the case and that a decision could be made in the coming fortnight or before the Lunar New Year holiday, media reports on the island said.
Chen is serving a 20-year jail term for corruption. He has a series of health problems, including a heart complaint, severe depression and a chronic brain disease.
Vice Justice Minister Chen said that if the former head of state was released he would not receive treatment at home or be allowed to recuperate there.
The High Court in Taiwan last week rejected an appeal for Chen to be formally released from prison on medical parole.
The court ruled that the ex-president was getting adequate medical care in jail.
Chen served as president of Taiwan between 2000 and 2008 and members of his opposition Democratic Progressive Party have threatened to go on hunger strike after the court’s ruling.
Calls for Chen to be given medical parole have increased since the governing Kuomintang suffered crushing defeats in last month’s local elections.
Chen, 64, appeared on television last week, looking feeble with shaggy grey hair, his body trembling uncontrollably as a supporter visited him in his cell in the central city of Taichung.
He was convicted in 2009 of bribery, embezzlement and money laundering while in office.
His supporters have said the charges were politically motivated.
