The Hualien District Prosecutors' Office has increased its security measures in preparation for President Chen Shui-bian's (
"The necessary security measures will be made so as not to disrupt the court's regular work flow. The security guards have already devised a comprehensive security plan, with assistance from the police department," Presidential Office spokesman James Huang (黃志芳) said.
PHOTO: LU CHUN-WEI, LIBERTY TIMES
According to Huang, Chen considers testifying part of his civil duty, and will not receive any special treatment today.
The president will not be attended by his regular escorts, confidants and high-ranking officials in court, he said.
"All security measures inside and outside the prosecutor's office have been well taken care of. There should not be any security loopholes," Huang said.
The Hualien District Prosecutors' Office has reportedly designed a special route which would take Chen directly from the chartered airplane he will be using to the prosecutors' office.
"We will make sure our interrogation system is based on respect, professionalism and security," said Chen Sung-chi (陳松吉), a spokesman for the district prosecutors' office.
A Chinese-language newspaper reported that Chen might not be accompanied by an attorney during the interrogation, as the president is a qualified attorney.
"President Chen has urged his supporters not to gather in front of the prosecutors' office or get too emotional, so that they would serve as a good example for democracy and justice," Huang said.
According to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) campaign headquarters chief Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁), a large number of phone calls have been received from Chen's supporters who want to show their support by gathering outside the district prosecutors' office.
"We urge these supporters not to do so, because if anything inappropriate were to happen tomorrow, it could reflect badly on Chen's good intentions of testifying," Wu said.
He said that the DPP does not consider Chen's testimony part of its election campaign, as it should be respected as a purely judicial matter.
Chen has been drawn into the investigation due to a campaign promise made by the DPP's candidate You Ying-lung (
An anonymous complaint was filed with the prosecutors' office that You's promise constituted an act of bribery. Prosecutors want to discuss this with Chen in his capacity as DPP chairman.
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