Wu Shu-chen, wife of Taiwan authorities' leader Chen Shui-bian, was once again absent from her trial on corruption charges on Friday, the fifth time in a row she has claimed to be too ill to attend.

Wu passed out during the first session of her trial on December 15. 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.

Friday's trial began the examination of more than 2,000 receipts in the case, comparing the originals with copies obtained by lawyers. The examination will continue on Feb. 9 and possibly extend to Feb. 13, according to the court.

Prosecutors called for providing air temperature and humidity records of the days when Wu was not in court, to help the court assess her continuing absence.

Kuomintang Party deputies in the Legislative Yuan also suggested the court require Wu attend via video, saying her absence has hampered the progress of the trial.

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

Prosecutors also claimed to have evidence to indict Chen Shui-bian on charges of graft and forgery of documents in connection with a 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.

Three of Chen's close aides, Ma Yung-cheng, Lin Teh-hsiun and Chen Cheng-hui, were also indicted on charges involving the alleged misuse of the secret office fund.

Source: Xinhua