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TAIPEI - Taiwan launched a probe Tuesday into alleged corruption involving former president Chen Shui-bian, prosecutors said on the day he lost his presidential immunity by leaving office.
"We have formally started the investigation of the special expenses case concerning former president Chen," said Chu Chao-liang, a spokesman for a special investigation unit of the Supreme Prosecutors Office.
Prosecutors have asked the presidential office for documents which had been kept confidential while Chen was in office, Chu said.
In 2006, Chen was named by prosecutors as a suspect in an embezzlement case involving about 14.8 million Taiwan (450,000 US) dollars. His wife Wu Shu-chen is already on trial on corruption and document forgery charges, but Chen escaped prosecution due to his immunity.
Chen was succeeded on Tuesday by new President Ma Ying-jeou.
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