Taipei, June 25: Taiwan’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Thursday launched a petition drive to seek the release of former president Chen Shui-bian, who has been held in pre-trial detention since late December on charges of corruption.
“We urge the authorities to release former president Chen Shui-bian immediately in line with the reform of the detention system and protection of basic human rights,” the DPP said in a statement.
The pro-independence party said it was unfair and unjust to continue to detain Chen after he was officially indicted in late December.
In December, Chen was charged along with his wife Wu Shu-chen with the embezzlement of 104 million Taiwan dollars (3.15 million US dollars) in special state funds, acceptance of 400 million Taiwan dollars in bribes and money laundering during his time as president between 2000 and 2008. He has been held at the Taipei Detention Centre since late December, pending trial.
The DPP called on people in Taiwan to each send a letter to the presidential office, the judiciary and relevant government agencies, demanding the immediate release of Chen.
It said it would also seek support from diplomatic missions stationed in Taiwan and international human rights groups for the release of Chen.
—Agencies