Prosecutors move to indict Chen family for corruption

Ex-first couple's contradictory evidence vital to case

Taiwanese prosecutors will obtain a formal indictment against former president Chen Shui-bian and his wife over corruption charges, possibly next month, the island's media reported yesterday.

Prosecutors said they felt vindicated by the decision last week to detain Mr Chen, which was meant to prevent him and his wife, Wu Shu-chen, from comparing notes as the two had given investigators conflicting versions of events.

The questioning, therefore, had resulted in the collection of key evidence, they said.

When prosecutors questioned Wu at her home on Saturday, the former first lady said she had received NT$200 million (HK$47 million) in campaign donations from a property developer. But Mr Chen told the investigator that Wu received up to NT$500 million from the developer, a prosecution source said.

The contradictions have further reinforced evidence given by other defendants such as Wu's key aide, Tsai Ming-che, who helped them collect money during Mr Chen's term in office.

The investigation into the former first family was now 'entering the last stage', sources told Taiwanese media. Reports said many witnesses and key players involved in the scandal, such as Mr Chen and Wu's cashier, Chen Chen-hui, would be released from detention this week after being questioned.