Wu Shu-chen, wife of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, did not attend the second session of her trial on corruption charges in Taipei on Friday.

Wu passed out during the first session of her trial last Friday and has been in hospital since.

Doctors advised her not to attend the trial because she was still weak and her blood pressure might drop suddenly if she remains seated for long periods. She handed a medical certificate to the court on Thursday night and asked for permission not to appear.

Wu, paralyzed from the waist down following a 1985 accident, has been ill with low blood pressure and stomach problems.

She is accused of embezzlement, forgery of documents and perjury, involving 14.8 million New Taiwan dollars (448,500 U.S. dollars). But she has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

Three of Chen's close aides, Ma Yung-cheng, Lin Teh-hsiun and Chen Cheng-hui, attended Friday's trial but also pleaded not guilty.

They were indicted on charges involving the alleged misuse of a secret office fund.

Prosecutors also claimed to have evidence to indict Taiwan leader Chen on charges of graft and forgery of documents in connection with the secret office fund, but his status as leader renders him immune from criminal charges and a formal indictment against him will have to await the end of his term of office in 2008.

The judge decided at 2 p.m. Friday that the third session of the trial would be held on December 29 at 9:30 a.m. and asked Wu through her lawyer to attend if her physical condition is fine.

The court also required Chen's office to hand in evidence in defence by midday of December 27.

Source: Xinhua