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Taiwan opposition leader on trial | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Taiwan opposition leader and presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou has gone on trial in a corruption case which could hit his 2008 hopes. | |
He is accused of misappropriating T$11.2 million ($339,000) of funds while mayor of the capital, Taipei. | |
Mr Ma resigned from his position as head of the Kuomintang party shortly after the charges were announced, but said he would clear his name. | Mr Ma resigned from his position as head of the Kuomintang party shortly after the charges were announced, but said he would clear his name. |
He has denied graft charges, and is a frontrunner in the presidential race. | He has denied graft charges, and is a frontrunner in the presidential race. |
Presidential pledge | Presidential pledge |
Mr Ma, a US-educated lawyer who is expected to defend himself, was in confident mood as he arrived at court. | |
"I am confident of my innocence and I trust in the justice of the court," he said, as a crowd of Kuomintang (KMT) supporters cheered. | |
Mr Ma was charged with improper use of government funds in February - and resigned as KMT chairman, protested his innocence and pledged to stand for president all at once. | |
He is facing four rivals from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who are seeking nomination from their party. | He is facing four rivals from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who are seeking nomination from their party. |
The candidates are Vice President Annette Lu, Premier Su Tseng-chang, former premier Frank Hsieh, and former party chairman Yu Hsyi-kun. | The candidates are Vice President Annette Lu, Premier Su Tseng-chang, former premier Frank Hsieh, and former party chairman Yu Hsyi-kun. |
The investigation into his finances began in mid-November after allegations that he had shifted money from a special fund into a personal account during his time as mayor, from 1998 to 2006. | The investigation into his finances began in mid-November after allegations that he had shifted money from a special fund into a personal account during his time as mayor, from 1998 to 2006. |
If convicted, he would face at least seven years in prison. However, prosecutors have already asked for leniency because of his co-operation with the investigation. | If convicted, he would face at least seven years in prison. However, prosecutors have already asked for leniency because of his co-operation with the investigation. |