Ex-president Chen may be sued for removing state documents
ROC Central News Agency
2010/09/08 21:40:45
Taipei, Sept. 8 (CNA) Former President Chen Shui-bian may be sued for illegally removing 20 boxes of state documents from the Presidential Office after the change of government in May 2008, Presidential Office spokesman Lo Chih-chiang said Wednesday.
The Presidential Office made the decision Tuesday to examine the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Chen, after reviewing the matter thoroughly with legal experts, Lo said.
"This is indeed a serious matter because what Chen did was a breach of law and may have threatened national security if the classified information in those documents was leaked," Lo said.
"Therefore, the Presidential Office has a duty to handle the matter in compliance with the law and is considering suing Chen on charges of violating the Archives Act, Embezzlement of Public Property Act, Civil Servants Work Act and Classified National Security Information Protection Act," he added.
The matter was brought to light in June when Chen's office wrote to the Presidential Office and the Special Investigation Division under the Supreme Prosecutors Office asking what to do with 20 boxes of official documents that were stored there. Chen's office was in the process of moving at the time.
The Presidential Office responded by writing to Chen's office twice -- in July and August -- asking that the documents be returned before a certain date and warning that it will sue Chen if his office does not comply with the request.
Chen could face a prison sentence of one to seven years if he is found guilty of illegally removing state documents.
Chen's office said it will deal with the matter in keeping with the law and with Chen's instructions.
The former president has been in detention since December 2008, on charges of embezzling state funds, laundering money, accepting bribes and committing forgery. (By Carfie Lee and Flor Wang) enditem /pc
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