Reported 10 months ago
The Taipei District Court recently ruled to drop charges against former President Chen Shui-bian in a money laundering case due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Nationalist Party legislator Xie Longjie believes that President Lai Ching-te has been carefully planning to shield Chen Shui-bian by using delay tactics. Xie Longjie disclosed that in the last two weeks of former President Tsai Ing-wen's term, there were rumors of a potential pardon for Chen Shui-bian, but it did not materialize as Chen reportedly had disagreements regarding returning illicit gains and admitting guilt in some pending cases. Amid internal faction issues in the Democratic Progressive Party, a pardon for Chen Shui-bian was seen as inevitable for securing support, leading to strategies like delaying the legal process. Xie Longjie criticized the lack of fairness and justice, pointing out that Chen Shui-bian would be directly pardoned if he agreed to admit guilt and return money, whereas delays and complacency from the Ministry of Justice allowed Chen to evade justice. Xie Longjie questioned why prosecutors did not apply for the reopening of trials despite Chen's ability to attend court hearings and media appearances, indicating the absence of health issues that were cited for the initial suspension of trials.
Source: YAHOO