TAIPEI - The daughter of former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian has been named a defendant in a corruption case that has embroiled the ex-leader and his closest kin, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Chen Hsing-yu was suspected of perjury for giving conflicting testimony during a probe into alleged embezzlement by former president Chen, said a spokesman for the prosecution.

Her husband Chao Chien-ming has also been named a defendant in the case on suspicion of perjury, the spokesman said.

Chen, who left office last year after a maximum eight years, stands accused of embezzling public funds, money laundering, accepting bribes on a land deal, influence peddling and forgery.

His wife, son, daughter-in-law, and brother-in-law have already been charged with various offences in connection to the far-reaching case which has captivated Taiwan for months.

Chen, who has been detained since December, dismissed his lawyers last month to protest against his detention and trial which he claimed was a political witch hunt.

The independence-minded Chen insists that the charges against him are orchestrated by the new administration of President Ma Ying-jeou, who favours better relations with China.

Under Taiwanese law, there are no limits on how long Chen can be detained. -AFP