The Ministry of Justice said Wednesday that there is no timetable for the possible medical parole of former President Chen Shui-bian who is serving a 20-year sentence for corruption.
The ministry was responding to media reports claiming that Chen could be home before Christmas. But the ministry has prepared a 15-member review team to determine if the ex-president should be allowed to recuperate at home. Chen has suffered bladder problems, brain degeneration, motor control problems and stuttering, among other issues. Several doctors who have examined him over the years have recommended release on medical parole. One of the doctors who recommended medical parole is newly-elected Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je.
Media reports also said Chen Shui-bian has hand-written a letter to President Ma Ying-jeou in a bid to reduce opposition to medical parole. The Presidential Office confirmed Wednesday that President Ma received the letter, but has not commented on the letter’s contents.