More than 100 supporters of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians rallied outside the Taipei High Court yesterday morning, voicing their support for Chen and calling for his release.
The demonstrators, mobilized by the A-bian Club and pro-independence groups shouted “A-bian is innocent” and “Release A-bian right now.”
Volunteers from the groups handed out roses and lilies as symbols of their goodwill toward Chen.
DPP Taipei City Chapter director and City Councilor Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) questioned the necessity of Chen’s detention, which began more than 500 days ago.
DETENTION
Chen was first detained at the Taipei Detention Center on Nov. 12, 2008, and released on Dec. 13, 2008, after he was indicted. He was detained again on Dec. 30, 2008, after the Taipei District Court approved a request by prosecutors to take him back into custody.
He has remained in detention since then. On April 16, High Court Judge Teng Chen-chiu (鄧振球) ruled that Chen should remain in custody for two more months, until June 23.
It’s a serious violation of Chen’s basic rights to have -detained him for more than 500 days before he is even confirmed guilty,” Chuang told the crowd.“Who will take responsibility if Chen proves to be innocent at the end?”
“We cannot just stand by and let the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] do whatever they want,” former foreign minister Mark Chen (陳唐山) said.“They are trying to lock up everyone who has made contributions to the country to make it easier for China to take over.”
The crowd became emotional a little after 10am as they learned that Chen Shui-bian had been sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, politicians quickly moved to calm the supporters down.
Among the crowd was the former presidents son, Chen Chih-chung (陳致中). Commenting on the second verdict on Chen Shui-bian and his family members, Chen Chih-chung said he could not accept it.
“I’m very dissatisfied with the second verdict, and will not accept it. I will definitely appeal,” he said.
Chen Chih-chung also released a statement announcing his bid to run in the year-end Kaohsiung City councilor election and work to realize his father’s political ideal of “Taiwan and China, one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait.”
Former DPP Taipei City Chapter director Huang Ching-lin (黃慶林) called on the crowd to turn their anger into votes against the KMT in the November special municipality elections.
“We can only save A-bian with ballots in our hands now,” he said. “We should teach the KMT a lesson with our ballots.”
Although the pro-Chen crowd was relatively calm, minor physical clashes broke out between the police and anti-Chen protesters mobilized by KMT city councilor candidates.
“Bestow severe punishment on Chen Shui-bian,” they cried as they tried to break through the phalanx.
Police officers moved to stop them from going any further, and the two sides clashed.
After a few minutes' pushing and shoving, the anti-Chen protesters backed down and left.
About 250 police officers were stationed around the courthouse to maintain order, Taipei City’s Zhongzheng First Precinct Chief Chen Ming-cheng (陳銘政) told the media.
RESPONSE
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said he respected the verdict, while the KMT caucus urged the former president’s supporters to be rational.
KMT Legislator Wu Yu-sheng (吳育昇) told a press conference held by the caucus that the DPP should respect the court’s verdict and impartiality.
“Don’t ever say that Taiwan’s judiciary is dead because the court found Chen guilty,” Wu said.
KMT Legislator Lee Ching-hua (李慶華) urged prosecutors to appeal the case, or “the public will never be satisfied.”
KMT Legislator Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) said she would be concerned about the KMT’s performance in November’s special municipality elections if the court later decides to release Chen Shui-bian.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FLORA WANG AND STAFF WRITER
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