Chen fires lawyer in trial protest

Former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian, who is embroiled in Taiwan's biggest corruption trial, has fired his lawyer and given up his legal defence to protest at what he claims to be an “illegal trial”.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Chen maintained his innocence but said he would not call any further witnesses and asked the judge to impose a sentence of life imprisonment upon him.

“I will give up my right to appeal so the sentence could be executed immediately. Let's stop with this circus,” said Mr Chen, who has already been in solitary detention for most of the past seven months.

The statement comes after Mr Chen's bail hearing yesterday was cut short after the former president complained of feeling unwell, saying he had heart conditions and often broke out in a cold sweat at night.

On Tuesday, prosecutors filed extra charges of receiving improper payments from senior banking executives against Mr Chen and his wife. A spokesman from Mr Chen's office said the former president would attend court hearings but would remain silent. He would not change his plea to guilty.

Wellington Koo, a Taipei-based lawyer, said the court would probably appoint a public defender, thus allowing the case to continue.

A litany of charges are arrayed against the former president, including embezzling from a secret state fund and accepting kickbacks for approving a construction project.

In the new indictment, prosecutors claim Jeffrey Koo Jr, the former chairman of Chinatrust Commercial Bank and no relation to Wellington, was coerced into giving T$290m ($8.8m, €6.6m, £5.9m) to Mr Chen and his wife over four years.

Mr Chen has denied all charges. His wife and his son have both pleaded guilty to some charges, including money laundering.

The new indictment alleges that Mr Koo Jr felt he could not say no to Mr Chen, “considering the importance of building a good relationship with the president and the first lady to Chinatrust's future”, and delivered cash to the presidential residence and hotels on seven occasions.