Former Taiwanese president Chen gets life term for corruption

A Taiwan court on Friday sentenced former president Chen Shui-bian as well as his wheelchair-bound wife Wu Shu-chen to a life term in jail for corruption. Chen, the first former Taiwanese leader to be convicted in a criminal case, boycotted the verdict, claiming it was political vendetta.

A court official said 58-year-old Chen - held at a detention centre on the outskirts of Taipei since December - was found guilty of embezzling state funds, laundering money, accepting bribes and committing forgery.

"Chen was using his background and position to cause damage to the country. That's why the court sentenced him to life imprisonment," spokesman Huang Chun-ming said.

But Chen and his representatives claim it was political revenge for his lifelong push to declare independence from China. Chen spokesman Chiang Chi-ming said the verdict was "totally unacceptable" and "illegal", blasting a decision to replace the judges in the middle of the trial.

Hundreds of protesters rallied outside the court shouting, "A-Bian is innocent" and "Release A-Bian", using Chen's nickname.

Under Taiwanese law, a life sentence is automatically appealed.