Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday visited former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at the Taipei Detention Center for the first time.
The two declined to comment when approached by reporters. TV footage showed dozens of Chen supporters gathered outside the detention center holding signs and shouting slogans to encourage Tsai and Su. One woman gave a bouquet of flowers to Tsai, who thanked her, and the crowd gathered around their car.
The pair’s visit followed former premier Frank Hsieh’s (謝長廷) visit to Chen at the detention center on Tuesday.
At a separate setting later yesterday, Tsai said the court’s decision to extend Chen’s detention had very little legitimacy and the judicial system lacked impartiality.
Chen has been detained since December on charges of graft, embezzlement and corruption. On Monday, the court extended his detention for another two months, saying Chen presents a high flight risk and might collude with witnesses if released.
Chen’s office said yesterday he has appealed to the High Court to overturn the ruling extending his detention.
Tsai said the purpose of her visit was to encourage Chen and to highlight the “questionable elements” of the legal system.
Tsai told reporters that Chen felt his case was full of procedural errors such as the court’s sudden decision to change judges and flaws in the way witnesses were questioned. The dubious actions taken by the court had greatly harmed his right to a fair trial, she said, promising that the DPP would scrutinize Chen’s trial more closely.
On his personal blog, Su wrote that any politically motivated efforts to persecute people relentlessly would only brew more opposition and jeopardize public security.
Such actions would detract from the court’s credibility when it announces Chen’s verdict, he said.
Su said the purpose of his visit was not only to show his support for Chen, but also to protest political bias in the legal system. He wrote that he wished Chen good health and encouraged the former president to focus on his trial so he can give the public a satisfactory explanation for the allegations. If Chen indeed committed any wrongdoings, he should offer a sincere apology, Su said.
Chen has refused to eat anything since his detention hearing more than a week ago. He has said he will not eat or drink until Sunday to show his support for the DPP’s large-scale rally that day protesting the government’s policies toward China.
Chen has been on two hunger strikes since his incarceration, but ended them after pressure from his family.
A number of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers yesterday criticized Tsai for visiting Chen.
KMT Legislator Wu Yu-sheng (吳育昇) told reporters the visit meant Tsai had “bowed to corrupt people.”
“I sincerely suggest that Chairperson Tsai hand over her position to Chen Shui-bian ... I believe people in Taiwan will look down on the DPP and Tsai [because of the visit],” Wu said.
Because of the visit, the DPP’s planned rally would be a rally in support of Chen and “a rally in support of corruption on Anti-Corruption Square [Ketagalan Boulevard],” he said.
Fellow KMT lawmakers Lu Hsueh-chang (呂學樟) and Chiu Yi (邱毅) expressed similar opinions.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AFP AND FLORA WANG
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