After his release from custody, former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) plans to be back in his office today.
In response to the court’s orders that he not travel and suggestion that he not make public statements, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Gao Jyh-peng (高志鵬) suggested that Chen should set up a blog to post his writings from his period in detention.
Gao said Chen had no blog, apart from some materials on the Ketagalan Academy Web site. Since Chen wrote a lot during his detention, Gao suggested a blog would be a suitable way for Chen to voice his thoughts.
A blog would not go against the court’s suggestion that Chen not mobilize the public over his court case, Gao said.
Gao said he had also read a book published by former National Science Council (國科會) deputy minister Hsieh Ching-jyh (謝清志) in which he discussed his own period in detention and the eventual court proceedings, which Gao said could help Chen with his own experiences.
Hsieh was held incommunicado in custody for 59 days after allegations surfaced surrounding a project to complete the Tainan Science-Based Industrial Park to reduce the impact of vibrations from the high-speed rail. He was found not guilty in July.
Gao and a number of other DPP legislators said they would meet today to discuss an appropriate time to visit Chen.
Chen was released from detention early on Saturday morning after a four-hour hearing. He was held incommunicado for 32 days without charge.
He was indicted on charges of embezzling government funds, money laundering and forgery along with 13 others, including his wife, son and daughter-in-law.
As prosecutors are seeking the “severest penalty,” legal experts say that Chen, the first former president to be indicted, could face life in prison if convicted.
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