CHINA / Taiwan, HK, Macao |
Taiwan trial goes on without lead defendant(Xinhua)Updated: 2007-01-20 14:29 The wife of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian asked Friday to extend her leave from her trial on charges of graft, the fourth time she's been absent since fainting in court in December. The fifth session of the high-profile trial opened in Taipei Friday morning. Wu Shu-chen is accused of claiming personal expenses, mainly the purchase of brand-name clothes and jewelry, from special government funds controlled by her husband. The allegations involve goods valued at more than NT$14.8 million (US$448,500). After fainting during the first session of her trial she was hospitalized and missed her next three court dates. At yesterday's session, Chen's key aide, Chen Tan-sun, and four other officials were fined NT$30,000 each for failing to show up in court. They had been called to give evidence. The court also rejected a prosecution request to search Chen Shui-bian's office, but ordered his office to release the controversial "secret documents" by January 23, local media reported. Chen was given until Monday to appeal the court order. |
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