TAIPEI: Prosecutors are investigating whether ex-leader Chen Shui-bian leaked "state secrets" by telling a recent court hearing about clandestine escape routes planned for Taiwan leaders, officials said yesterday.

Chen, sentenced to life in jail for graft, described two escape routes available to the island's leaders when he was appealing his detention to the High Court in early October, in a bid to prove that he was not a flight risk.

Although the surprising revelation did not prompt the court to grant him bail while he prepares his appeal against his life sentence, he may now face additional charges for leaking national secrets.

"We are looking into whether the so-called escape routes are indeed classified information," said a spokesman for the Taipei district prosecutor's office.

According to Chen, one underground route links the "presidential" office with the "defense ministry", while the other connects a residence in northern Taipei with a military command center. Both lead to helicopter fields nearby.

It was unclear why Chen believed that these routes might still be available to him now, 17 months after his term in office ended.

Chen has called his trial a political vendetta by Taiwan's current government, in retribution for his lifelong push for the island's independence.

The 58-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of embezzling government funds, laundering money, accepting bribes and forgery.

His wheelchair-bound wife, Wu Shu-chen, also received a life sentence after her conviction on charges involving corruption.

AFP

(HK Edition 10/22/2009 page2)