Taipei - Taiwan ex-president Chen Shui-bian, in detention on corruption charges, was rushed to hospital late Sunday after tests showed an abnormal heartbeat, officials said. "An electrocardiogram showed his condition was not normal, and so we decided to send him to the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital for a further check-up," said Lee Ta-chu, deputy director of the Taipei Penitentiary.
He said Chen had not taken any food since his arrest on Wednesday and his health had begun to suffer. Lee said doctors will decide whether there is a need to feed him through intravenous injection.
Chen, who ended his second four-year presidential term in May, is suspected of embezzling millions of US dollars under the pretext of using the money as a "secret diplomatic fund" to launch or strengthen ties with foreign countries.
He is also suspected of laundering 21 million US dollars abroad, and accepting millions of dollars in bribes from Taiwan businessmen.
In a statement released from prison, he accused President Ma Ying- jeou, from the China-friendly Chinese Nationalist Party, of persecuting him because he supports Taiwan independence.
Chen's mother, wife and his lawyer have urged him to eat, but he refused and is only drinking water.
Prosecutors, say they intend to indict him soon on at least five charges that carry a maximum jail term of 30 years. He could be held for several months before standing trial.
