Taiwan's ex-president in custody

FE Team | Published: November 13, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Taiwan's ex-President Chen Shui-bian, who faces corruption allegations, has been formally taken into custody, report agencies.
Mr Chen, an independence activist and staunch critic of China, was taken to jail after his detention was approved by a court overnight.
It came at the end of a dramatic 24 hours, during which police led a defiant Mr Chen away in handcuffs.
Mr Chen, who stepped down in May, denies all the graft charges and claims they are politically motivated.
He has been taken to Tucheng prison in the suburbs of the capital, Taipei. He can now be held for up to four months, despite not yet having formally been charged.
Police have reportedly tightened security around the jail amid threats from his supporters.
Mr Chen and his supporters - who see closer ties to Beijing as a threat to Taiwan's sovereignty - opposed that visit.
Mr Chen is accused of money laundering and illegally using a special presidential fund.