Defense lawyer for ex-president subpoenaed to Taipei court

Chen was arrested on charges of forgery, corruption and money laundry on November 12 and has since been held incommunicado at the Taipei detention house.

Prosecutor Hou Ming-huang subpoenaed Cheng yesterday.

“I was required to present myself in court at 3 p.m. on Thursday,” Cheng confirmed.

He met the press before the detention house each time he visited the ex-president and told of his life behind the bars and opinions.

The attorney at law also relayed his client’s complaints. On the day of Chen’s detention, Cheng made public his client’s 10-point statement announcing his hunger strike to protest the political persecution against him.

Wang Ching-feng, minister of justice, told lawmakers Cheng violated the code of conduct for attorneys at law. She wanted a joint investigation by prosecutors and the Taipei bar association.

Hou is trying to find out if Cheng violated Article 245 of the Code of Criminal Procedures, which forbids lawyers and investigators to tell of the investigation under way. If his violation were confirmed, Cheng will be referred to the bar association for disciplinary action.

The association has to hold a membership meeting or a joint meeting of its boards of directors and supervisors to determine how the offender will be disciplined.

There are four options to discipline an offending lawyer. He may be warned, reprimanded, suspended for no longer than two years or debarred.

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