The decision came at dawn Wednesday at the end of a marathon 21-hour court hearing that began with more than five hours of direct questioning by prosecutors on Tuesday.
The detain order does not constitute an indictment. Chen is expected to be transferred to Tucheng Jail in Taipei City, where he can be held for four months before being formally charged under Taiwanese law.
Chen, who declared innocence, predicted his arrest on Monday and linked it to alleged attempts by newly elected President Ma Ying-jeou to placate China. “I am War Criminal Number One of the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party,” said Chen as quoted by the China Post.
“This is a political persecution,” Chen could be heard shouting as he was led from the prosecutors’ office in handcuffs on Tuesday afternoon. “Cheers for Taiwan.”
The hearing was interrupted for several hours after the former leader claimed that he was attacked by one of the prosecutors’ staff while being transported from their office to the Taipei District Court. Chen was returned to the court after doctors concluded that he suffered only a minor muscle injury.
Prosecutors denied any allegation of attack.
Two of Chen’s senior advisers have already been arrested in the case.
Several dozen activists shouted slogans to support Chen on Tuesday outside the prosecutors’ office.
Please read these two Chinese articles:
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/8/11/11/n2326321.htm
http://epochtimes.com/gb/8/11/12/n2326983.htm
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