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An unemployed man who later committed suicide was
responsible for shooting Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, prosecutors said
Wednesday as they wound up a controversial case that has divided the island.
The probe concluded that Chen Yi-hsiung fired the shots which lightly injured
Chen and running mate Annette Lu as they campaigned in the southern town of
Tainan on March 19 last year, one day before national elections.
The family of Chen Yi-hsiung, who was found dead 10 days later, have previously
said he carried out the shooting because he was depressed about being
unemployed and blamed the president's policies. But opponents of
pro-independence candidate Chen Shui-bian accused the president of staging the
shooting to win sympathy on the eve of the vote. Chen later won the election by
a razor-thin 0.22 percent margin.
"Three prosecutors have reviewed all the evidence and information collected and
were certain that Chen Yi-hsiung was the key suspect,'' said Public
prosecutor-general Wu Ying-chao.
"Since Chen Yi-hsing is dead, prosecutors have to drop the attempted murder
charge, but the truth has come out after their investigation,'' Wu said, adding
he hoped conspiracy theories surrounding the case could now end.
Despite the report's conclusion, however, the furor appeared unlikely to die
down after the alleged gunman's wife was quoted Wednesday in the United Daily
News casting doubt on her husband's guilt.
Lee Shu-chiang said she had been coerced by police into making a televised
statement admitting her dead husband's guilt.
After a year-long investigation, police announced dramatically in March this
year they had made a breakthrough after obtaining information from the
suspect's family.
Police said the suspect had admitted to his wife that he pulled the trigger
after three videotape images showing him running from the scene of the shooting
were broadcast on television.
The man was found drowned near Tainan on March 29 and his body was cremated a
day later with the cause of death listed as accidental drowning. Police said he
had purchased a pistol and several bullets identical to those used in the
shootings from an underground firearms maker.
However, media reports have questioned the official version of events. They
questioned why Chen's body was found wrapped in a fishing net and why the gun
used in the shooting had not been found. Other reports questioned why wills
allegedly left by Chen - in which he was said to have claimed responsibility
for the shooting - had been destroyed by the dead man's relatives.
The Supreme Court in June rejected a lawsuit filed by the opposition to annul
President Chen's election victory.
Another opposition lawsuit seeking the annulment of the whole election process
is pending before the Supreme Court. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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