China News Service, February 7 (Xinhua) According to comprehensive Taiwanese media reports, Chen Zhizhong, the son of former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian and former Kaohsiung City Councilor, who served a sentence in Kaohsiung No. 2 Prison for money laundering, perjury and other crimes in 2023, was approved by the Taiwan High Court on the evening of the 6th. Released on parole. After being released from prison, Chen Zhizhong posted a post late at night lamenting that "going home is like a dream", which triggered ridicule from netizens on the island.
Chen Zhizhong was released from prison on parole. Image source: Taiwan's "United Daily News"
According to reports, Chen Zhizhong was convicted on suspicion of helping his mother Wu Shuzhen money laundering and perjury. The Taiwan High Court ruled that he should be sentenced to 1 year and 2 months in prison. He was imprisoned on May 11, 2023 and has been serving his sentence to this day. Since Chen Zhizhong applied for parole on February 5 and was approved, the actual number of days he spent in prison was 272 days.
Chen Zhizhong carried two bags of books at around 8pm on the 6th and walked out of Kaohsiung No. 2 Prison. His wife Huang Ruiliang drove him back home. He only replied "thank you" to the media. Late that night, Chen Zhizhong posted on Facebook, "I'm back home, like a dream. Good night; I haven't used my phone for a long time, and it's still a little laggy." He also attached a selfie.
The Kaohsiung No. 2 Prison stated that the entire case was caused by Taiwan's "High Prosecutor's Office" Crime Investigation Center and Taiwan's "Supreme Procuratorate's Office" Special Investigation Team (both of which have been abolished), which successively prosecuted Chen Shui-bian in the official expenses case, the Nangang Exhibition Hall case, and the Longtan land purchase. cases and money laundering cases; after the merger, first, second and third instance trials and remand, some cases have been decided.
Chen Zhizhong's parole and release from prison attracted the attention of netizens on the island. Some netizens ridiculed, "This is not a privilege, what is it?" "As expected of being in the same camp, the application went smoothly" and "The court is really considerate." Some netizens expressed dissatisfaction, saying bluntly, "The sentence is light and indulgent!" "Guan 272 Oh my god, at least NT$700 million (NT$) won’t have to be paid back” “Green is the color that can be forgiven”.
According to previous reports, it was revealed that Chen Zhizhong has lived in a private room since he entered prison, and was let out twice a day. As soon as he entered prison, he could watch a handheld TV. Compared with other prisoners who were crowded into large rooms, they could only use radios after reaching a certain level. , handheld TV, Chen Zhizhong basically enjoys privileges. In addition, Chen Zhizhong often talks about "I am a parliamentarian" and "my father is Chen Shui-bian" with an arrogant attitude.