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Former minister of the interior released on NT$1 million bail

Former minister of the interior Yu Cheng-hsien (余政憲), who was detained on Oct. 15 in relation to an investigation into allegations of corruption involving the former first family and the construction of the Nangang Exhibition Hall, was yesterday released from detention on NT$1 million (US$30,000) bail.

The Special Investigation Panel (SIP) at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office forwarded the bail request to the Taipei District Court a few days ago, but it took the court until yesterday morning to decide to release Yu on bail. The hearing lasted only 10 minutes.

“The judges agreed with prosecutors that there was no need to detain Yu any longer. So the request was granted,” Taipei District Court spokesman Huang Chun-min (黃俊明) said.

Huang said that Yu was barred from changing his place of residence or leaving the nation.

Yu was released after his defense counsel handed over the bond money. Outside the office, Yu bowed and apologized to the public.

“I assure you that I did not put a single penny of the public funds from the Nangang Exhibition Hall construction project into my own pocket,” Yu said. “I am forbidden by prosecutors from discussing any details of the case, but I can assure the public that I am innocent.”

While they decided to release Yu, prosecutors yesterday continued to interview former Presidential Office deputy secretary-general Ma Yung-cheng (馬永成).

SIP Spokesman Chen Yun-nan (陳雲南) said that prosecutors needed Ma to provide more details on how he assisted former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) with his financial dealings.

Chen Yun-nan did not comment on whether prosecutors were considering releasing Ma.

Meanwhile, another group of prosecutors yesterday morning raided an unnamed bank. The raid was still ongoing as of press time yesterday and Chen Yun-nan would not confirm which bank it was or whether such a raid had taken place.
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