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Former Philippine president Estrada declared guilty of plunder |
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09:59, September 12, 2007 |
Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada was found guilty Wednesday of plunder by the angi-graft court Sandiganbayan he set up himself during his short-lived presidency.
He was sentenced to life in prison or perpetual house arrest as the court said he was guilty beyond reasonable doubt of plunder of some 4 billion pesos (86 million U.S. dollars). The perjury case against him was dismissed.
The court would allow Estrada to continue staying at his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal province east to Manila "until further orders."
Estrada was ousted from power in early 2001 after about three years in power. He has been in detention since then.
The authorities deployed thousands of police around the Sandiganbayan court in Quezon City, as thousands of supporters of the former president had gathered there to protest.
The guilty verdict was widely anticipated by the local media. The local daily Philippine Star said Wednesday the government must exercise tolerance to avoid violence if the supporters of Estrada stage protests.
Source: Xinhua
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