The justice ministry has declined to comment on whether former President Chen Shui-bian should be given a pardon. That’s the word from Deputy Justice Minister Lin Hui-huang on Monday.
Chen was in power for eight years from 2000 to 2008. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2009 on charges of corruption, but was released on medical parole last January.
There have been growing calls to grant the former leader a pardon or an amnesty, particularly from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Lin told lawmakers that the justice ministry has yet to discuss Chen’s case or make any suggestions to President Ma Ying-jeou.
"We decline to comment on the issue. An amnesty refers to a commutation for all [convicted criminals] whereas a pardon is for an isolated case. The power is invested in the president as stipulated in the constitution, not in the justice ministry," Lin said.
Lin also said there has been no political interference in a trial, scheduled to begin May 13th, over the former leader’s misuse of a special state fund when he was in power.