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Chao, codefendants await new ruling on detention

The Taipei District Court will issue a new ruling tomorrow on whether the three suspects in a high-profile insider trading scandal, including the president's son-in-law Chao Chien-ming (趙建銘), should be detained once again.

The court made the announcement yesterday after the Taiwan High Court rescinded its July 20 ruling that allowed Chao and two of his alleged co-conspirators in the Taiwan Development Corp (TDC) insider trading scandal could remain free while at the same time increasing Chao's bail to NT$17 million (US$518,000) from the original NT$10 million.

While granting bail, the district court had banned the trio from leaving the country or changing residence without due notice.

The high court demanded the lower court take a second look at that ruling because the lower court has "failed to adequately explain" why the three men, Chao in particular, could be released on bail since the charges warranted continued detention.

It also said the district court hadn't employed consistent standards in meting out bail amounts for the trio.

Yesterday's ruling was the second time the high court has rescinded the lower court's bail ruling for the three since they were released on bail on July 10 after being detained for almost 50 days.

Meanwhile, a National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital spokesman said that the hospital will act according to the Discipline of Public Functionaries Act (公務人員懲戒法) on Chao's reinstatement request. Chao who has been suspended from his post for his alleged involvement in an insider trading scandal.

Lin He-hsiung (林鶴雄) was responding to media reports that Chao, a 34-year-old orthopedist, could request reinstatement next month.

Lin said Chao has yet to make a request.

But he said that even if Chao is allowed to return to the hospital, he would no longer enjoy the perks he had, such a big private office, Lin said.

The hospital suspended Chao shortly after he was detained on May 25.

During Chao's detention, the media was filled with stories about his allegedly extravagant lifestyle, kickbacks he allegedly received from pharmaceutical companies and his influence peddling.

Lin said the hospital would give Chao three months -- until early October -- to request reinstatement, based on its regulations. If he still has not submitted such a request by then, the hospital will remind him "in goodwill" gesture and give him another month.
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