November 12, 2008	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 13, 1429

TAIPEI, Nov 11: Taiwan’s former president Chen Shui-bian was back in court early on Wednesday as prosecutors sought to detain him in connection with a long-running corruption probe, officials said.

A defiant Chen put his handcuffed hands in the air as he stepped out of the prosecutor’s office and shouted “political persecution” before getting into a waiting car when he was arrested on Tuesday.

Chen is accused of money laundering, embezzling government funds, taking bribes and forging documents, a spokesman for the investigation said.

A court hearing to decide if prosecutors could detain him was suspended late on Tuesday as the ex-Taiwan president was taken to hospital saying he suffered injuries after being manhandled during his arrest.

The hearing resumed after he received treatment for his injuries.

“The muscle of his right arm was slightly injured, according to doctors’ diagnosis...the judges decided to resume the court hearing as the former president is still in good shape,” a court spokesman said.

Prosecutors denied using any violence during the arrest.

—AFP