Taipei court to hold first hearing of charges against wife of Taiwan leader

A Taipei court on Tuesday set Dec. 15 as the date for the first hearing of corruption charges against Wu Shu-chen, wife of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, and three others.

The court sent summons to the homes of the four defendants, including a former close aide of Chen, Ma Yong-cheng, local media reported.

Reporters and the public will be issued licenses to attend the public hearing, and two rooms equipped with television links to the courtroom will be reserved for observers.

Wu Shu-chen was indicted early this month on charges of involvement in embezzlement and corruption involving 14.8 million New Taiwan dollars (448,500 U.S. dollars).

Prosecutors said they had evidence to substantiate Chen's involvement but, as leader of the island, he has immunity from prosecution.

Source: Xinhua