Taiwan's Chen Ordered Detained

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Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian raises his hands with handcuffs as he is led away from the...

Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian raises his hands with handcuffs as he is led away from the Taiwan prosecutor's office in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008. Chen was arrested as prosecutors sought formal approval to detain him in connection with corruption allegations. (AP Photo)

(AP)

A Taiwanese court ordered former President Chen Shui-bian held on corruption charges Wednesday, an ignominious decision for a man who won acclaim for standing up to China with pro-independence policies.

The ruling came at the end of a marathon 21-hour court hearing that began with lengthy interrogation Tuesday but was interrupted by a trip to the hospital and didn't conclude until dawn Wednesday.

Chen, who has denied any wrongdoing, was ordered detained under an order that does not constitute an indictment. He can be held for four months before being formally charged.

As prosecutors prepare their case, he is expected to be held in the same jail in suburban Taipei where, as a dissident leader 21 years ago, he served eight months for defaming an official of the ruling Nationalist Party during the waning days of Taiwan's infamous martial law regime.

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The hearing was interrupted for several hours after the former leader complained that he had been injured while being transported from a prosecutors' office to the nearby court building. He was returned to the court after doctors found he had sustained only a minor muscle tear, said court spokesman Huang Chun-ming.

Wednesday's court order has implications beyond Taiwan, where he is reviled by millions for his apparent toleration for corruption. But he is also lionized by millions for his willingness to stand up to both Chinese threats and American opposition to his anti-China line.

China insists that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory and has threatened war if the island moves to make its 59-year break with the mainland permanent.

Chen was also criticized repeatedly by the United States, Taiwan's most important foreign partner, over the China issue. During Chen's recently concluded presidency, Chen was often seen by U.S. officials as a loose cannon who could provoke a Chinese invasion.

Chen denies any suggestion that his pro-independence policies are provocative.

He defiantly predicted his arrest and tried to link it to alleged attempts by his successor, President Ma Ying-jeou, to placate China. Ma has made reconciliation with China the centerpiece of his six-month-old administration.