Taiwan prosecutors announced in Taipei on Friday that they would file corruption charges against Wu Shu-chen, wife of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, along with other officials in Chen's government.

At a media briefing at 4:00 p.m., a spokesman of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office said Wu Shu-chen was being charged with embezzlement, forgery of documents and perjury, involving 14.8 million New Taiwan dollars (448,500 U.S. dollars).

Three former aides of Chen, close aide Ma Yong-cheng, Lin Teh-shun and an accountant Chen Chen-hui, were also indicted on charges involving the allegedl mishandling of a secret office fund, said prosecutor Chang Wen-cheng.

Another person in Chen's office and a businessman were also charged with fabricating evidence and violating commercial laws, but would be indicted later.

Some of the defendants had been prohibited from traveling abroad, said prosecutors.

The prosecutors claimed to have evidence to indict Chen on charges of graft and forgery of documents in connection with the secret fund, but as the Taiwan leader he is immune from criminal charges and a formal indictment against him will have to await the end of his term in 2008.

The 120-day investigation into the case which was launched on June 29 involved the summoning of 276 witnesses, Chang said.

Chairman of Kuomintang Party Ma Ying-jeou held a press conference on Friday afternoon, calling on Chen to resign as soon as possible.

Chen had lost the trust and respect of the Taiwan people and could no longer represent Taiwan because of the involvement in the case, therefore he must resign, he said.

"It is time for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to be clear with its members and be brave and responsible to urge Chen to resign," he noted.

The ruling DPP's lawmakers are scheduled to hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m. Friday to discuss the charges, according to local media.

Anti-Chen demonstrators have gathered at the Taipei Railway Station to celebrate the charges by sounding horns and setting off firecrackers, calling on Chen to resign from his office.

Leader of the demonstration Shih Ming-teh, former chairman of DPP, was scheduled to hold a press conference at about 7:00 p.m. to reveal future protest plans. He will then lead demonstrators to Chen Shui-bian's office compound, according to reports.

The anti-Chen demonstration initiated by Shih began on September 9.

Source: Xinhua