In response to the indictment, Chen Shui-bian’s attorney, Cheng Wen-lung (鄭文龍), expressed his disappointment and reiterated his condemnation of the prosecutors for violating procedural justice by taking Chen into custody.
“The evidence and conclusions of the prosecution are contradictory and not solid ... Detaining people is a violation of procedural justice and personal freedoms,” Cheng told a press conference yesterday at Chen’s office.
Cheng, accompanied by Cheng Sheng-chu (鄭勝助) and two other lawyers, said he would help Chen Shui-bian fight the case until his innocence was proven.
Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) issued a statement yesterday lashing out at the prosecutors for having preconceived ideas and vowed to establish her innocence in court.
“The prosecutors abused their rights in detaining suspects and obtained confessions that were unfavorable to me. The way they handled the cases was illegitimate,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Office yesterday said it would not comment on the indictment as it respected the independence of the judiciary.
KMT Legislator Chang Hsien-yao (張顯耀) said that the indictment had proved that there was solid evidence against Chen Shui-bian and urged the DPP to refrain from making accusations of political repression.
KMT legislators Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) and Wu Yu-sheng (吳育昇) both suggested suspending all preferential treatment that Chen Shui-bian now receives in his capacity of a former president.
KMT Legislator Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) said that all politicians should take Chen Shui-bian’s case as a warning to avoid corruption.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) warned against political intervention in the upcoming trial.
“The case will have a huge impact on society and the DPP ... We urge the court to conduct a fair trial and to protect Chen [Shui-bian’s] legal rights,” Tsai said. “It would provoke confrontation if the case was overshadowed by political forces.”
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) condemned the Ministry of Justice for interfering with the case by holding a press conference.
“Every day, the Special Investigation Panel lets confidential information leak out,” he said. “They should be kept under close watch.”
“The fact that whenever Chen Shui-bian meets with his lawyer, the meeting has to be taped from beginning to end is a violation of his judicial rights,” he said.
The court should let Chen Shui-bian focus on the lawsuit and ensure a fair trial, he said.
Ker said political pundits and the media should not over-report the matter. He said he hoped Taiwan could return to normal as soon as possible and urged the public to “stop living in the shadow of Chen’s case.”
Taiwanese should “focus on the economy” instead of politics, he said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHIH HSIU-CHUAN AND SHELLEY HUANG
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