Department of Health (DOH) Minister Lin Fang-yue (林芳郁), who was the hospital’s superintendent before joining the new government, said Wu’s lawyer had “over-interpreted” the statement the hospital gave the court.
He said the hospital statement was not specifically written about Wu’s condition but a reminder of what things a court should take into consideration when a paralyzed person is questioned.
Wu’s absence drew mixed reactions from lawmakers.
“She cannot hide forever and as a former first lady she should not trash the judicial system like this. She should bravely face the law,” Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wu Ching-chih (吳清池) said.
On the legislative floor, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) was asked by KMT Legislator Chiu Yi (邱毅) about Wu’s repeated refusal to appear in court, but Liu declined to respond.
Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng (王清峰) filled in for Liu, saying officials should refrain from giving instructions to judges on how to handle a case under examination.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHELLEY HUANG
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