Former president to sue defense minister over 319 shooting claim
ROC Central News Agency
2008-05-23 13:39:14
Taipei, May 23 (CNA) Former President Chen Shui-bian will file a defamation suit against Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min next week over the minister's claim that the March 19, 2004 shooting of the former president was staged, the former president's attorney said Friday. "Chen Chao-min's statement is obviously untrue and has damaged the former president's reputation," said lawyer Hsu Kuo-yung.
Hsu said he is collecting news clippings and video about the minister's statement as evidence and will file the suit with the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office Monday at the earliest.
The shooting, which left Chen and then-Vice President Annette Lu slightly injured, occurred when the pair were campaigning in an open jeep in Tainan, southern Taiwan on the eve of the 2004 presidential election.
Chen Chao-min, who was a member of the 319 Shooting Truth Investigation Commission, told legislators during a legislative committee meeting Wednesday that the wound on Chen Shui-bian's stomach was not caused at the scene of the shooting.
Asked about the matter Friday, the defense minister said he would give the same answer if he were questioned about the issue again "because the facts have not changed."
(By Y.F. Low)
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