A medical team assessing former President Chen Shui-bian’s health has unanimously recommended that Chen be granted medical parole. But his application still has to go through more reviews. Chen is currently serving a 20-year prison term for corruption. He is said to be in declining health.
Deputy Justice Minister Chen Ming-tang said Taichung Veterans General Hospital’s report has not reached the Taichung Prison yet where Chen is being held.
“The Taichung Prison has not received the report as of noon [Tuesday]. The prison will conduct a preliminary review upon receiving the report. Then the papers will be sent to the correction agency which has its own review committee. Once the report passes review, it will still have to be sent to the Taichung Prison. According to jail term criminal law, a bail amount will have to be set. There is no timetable for completing the procedure today,” said Chen.
Deputy Justice Minister Chen said, if granted, Chen’s medical parole will be one month. The parole can be extended up to 3 months pending monthly evaluations.
Presidential Office spokeswoman Ma Wei-kuo reiterated on Tuesday that the president respects the decisions of the justice ministry on Chen’s medical parole.