Director of the Agency of Corrections, Wu Sen-chang, has announced that a review of ex-President Chen Shui-bian’s application for medical parole will take place on January 5.
Speaking on Friday, Wu said that he and nine other officials with the Agency of Corrections will assess the case as soon as the working day begins. He said that the Agency of Corrections will not work overtime during the New Year’s vacation to expedite the case.
The Agency of Corrections’ decision has come under fire from those who expected Chen’s release to come by the end of December. The agency said that traffic congestion had prevented the requisite documents from arriving in time for processing before the New Year’s holiday began.
Chen has served six years out of a twenty year sentence for corruption, but a team of doctors have recommended his release on medical parole in light of his declining health.