The Council of Grand Justices on Friday ruled in a constitutional interpretation that the move by the Taipei District Court to switch the judges in its trial of Chen's case was "constitutional." "Although many people may be unhappy with the result, we still have to respect the (judicial) system, " Hsieh said while attending the inauguration of a campaign office for the Democratic Progressive Party's nominee in December's Changhua County magistrate election.

The Taipei District Court decided late last year to have a three-judge panel led by Tsai Shou-shun take charge of all cases involving the ex-president, instead of the original panel hearing his case headed by Cho Chan-shun.

Chen was indicted on several charges, including receiving bribes, money laundering and embezzlement.

The Taipei court said it decided to change judges because the Tsai panel was responsible for the trial of Wu Shu-jen, Chen's wife, who was indicted on charges of illegally siphoning NT$104 million from the president's discretionary state affairs fund while her husband was in office, and that combining the cases of Chen and Wu was appropriate.

Chen and his wife were given life sentences and fines of NT$200 million and NT$300 million respectively by the Taipei court on Sept.

11. They have both appealed the verdict.

The court's move prompted Chen to petition the Council of Grand Justices for an interpretation on whether the change in judges was unconstitutional.

Tsai, who on Dec. 31 ruled to detain Chen after taking into account the seriousness of the crimes committed by the former president, and the possibility that he might flee or collude with witnesses, have since then repeatedly acted to keep Chen in custody.

The Council also ruled that although detaining defendants because they committed serious crimes is not unconstitutional, judges should also take into account flight risks and the possibility of colluding with witnesses and other criteria, to better protect the defendants' rights.

DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen and Chen Shui-bian's office Friday expressed regret over the Council's constitutional interpretation, claiming it failed to clarify the issue or end disputes.

Chen's office asked the judges hearing his appeal to consider releasing him while the appeal is being heard.

(By Wu Che-hao, Chen Yi-wei & Bear Lee)