Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was yesterday returned to Taipei Prison after receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Taoyuan County.
Chen, who is serving a 17-and-a-half-year sentence for corruption, was granted a temporary release from Taipei Prison on March 6 for a medical checkup at Taoyuan General Hospital. Chen was found to be suffering from acute coronary syndrome and underwent a cardiac catheterization on Thursday.
Taipei Prison arranged for Chen to stay at the hospital for seven days.
Photo: CNA
After receiving a computed tomography scan in the morning, at 11:35am, Chen was escorted to a van that took him back to Taipei Prison.
Supporters of the former president momentarily blocked the road and prevented the van from moving, but they were soon removed by police officials.
Chen’s son, Chen Chih-chung (陳致中), and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators Mark Chen (陳唐山), Huang Wei-cher (黃偉哲) and Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) visited the former president in hospital.
Chen Chi-mai told reporters that Chen Shui-bian’s prison conditions were bad for the former president’s health. His physical condition and memory were deteriorating, Chen Chi-mai said, adding that DPP legislators had demanded that Taipei Prison improve the conditions.
They also requested that Chen Shui-bian be allowed to leave the prison and stay in the hospital for further medical treatment.
Chen Chih-chung said doctors suggested more exercise and a better diet for his father.
The Ministry of Justice said all inmates, including Chen Shui-bian, are confined in 4.56m2 cells and are allowed 30 minutes of outdoor activities a day, and it denies allegations that the former president is being treated poorly.
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