TAIPEI - A Taiwan court on Monday turned down detained former president Chen Shui-bian's bail application for a third time, saying he could try to flee the island.

Judges of the Taipei District Court decided to keep to their previous rulings as "the charge against Chen is a felony... and he may flee," court spokesman Huang Chun-ming told reporters.

There are no limits under Taiwanese law on how long Chen can be detained. The former president has refused to speak in recent court sessions in an apparent protest against his detention and trial.

Chen, who left office last year after serving a maximum eight-year term, is accused of embezzlement, money laundering, accepting bribes, influence peddling and forgery.

He denies the charges and says the allegations against him and his family are politically motivated and orchestrated by his China-friendly successor, President Ma Ying-jeou.