Taiwan Arrests Former President Chen

"The KMT and the Chinese Communist Party see me as their number one prisoner as I am the biggest stone blocking their way to reunification," Chen said according to reports.

However, court proceedings were halted and authorities took him to a hospital after he requested medical attention.

Lai Ching-teh, an opposition leader, said, "The former president told the judges that he was pushed from behind while being escorted out of the prosecutors' office, and demanded that he be sent to the National Taiwan University Hospital to examine his injuries."

"This political manipulation is aimed at destroying the DPP and insulting a former leader by handcuffing him. We assure the public that the DPP will not be defeated," said Lee Chun-yee, a legislator from Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Chen has publicly admitted that his wife wired tens of millions of dollars overseas, but without his knowledge. He has also admitted to getting government money by submitting false receipts. Chen claims that the purpose of this was to fund "secret diplomatic missions" and not his own personal gain.

Chen is a lawyer by profession and served as the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from May 20, 2000 through May 20, 2008.

Chen, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and brother-in-law all been named defendants in a separate money laundering case.

Reported by WIKINEWS.
Sources:
* "Detained Chen in Taiwan hospital". BBC News Online, November 11, 2008
* "Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian detained". China Daily, November 11, 2008
* Agence France-Presse "Taiwan's former president arrested over graft probe". Google News, November 11, 2008