Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/10/09
Taipei, Oct. 9 (CNA) Taichung Prison authorities on Sunday rejected former President Chen Shui-bian’s
Former President Chen Shui-bian. (CNA file photo)
(陳水扁) request to attend the celebration of the Republic of China’s National Day in Taipei on Oct. 10.
The former president has been on medical parole at his Kaohsiung residence since January 2015 while serving a 20-year prison term for multiple convictions on corruption charges.
After a meeting on Sunday afternoon, Taichung Prison said it would not approve Chen’s application because the state of Chen’s illness is complicated, and long-distance travel would not be good for his health.
It was also concerned that the appropriate conditions for his care would not be available and said that attending the National Day ceremony, which is a public event and has multiple variables, went beyond the requirements for improving Chen’s condition.
The Presidential Office said it “respects” the Taichung Prison’s “decision.” [FULL STORY]
