Hopes of freedom for former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian were dashed again yesterday after the Taiwan High Court maintained its earlier ruling to continue to hold him for three more months.
After more than six hours of heated debate, a panel of three judges decided to continue to hold Chen on the grounds that he could flee if freed.
The decision drew angry protests by dozens of his supporters, who rallied outside the court, demanding that he be released immediately.
'We greatly regret the [new] ruling by the High Court as it was impossible for the ex-president to flee,' said Chiang Chih-ming, the former president's chief aide.
He said the judges were convinced by the prosecutors' argument that Chen had more channels to flee given that he had served as president and 'would have more methods to pursue his goal'.
Asked if Chen would a make a fresh appeal, Chiang said Chen and his lawyers would discuss it later.
