Former Taiwan leader Chen given medical parole

Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian receives medical checkup on September 28, 2012 in Taipei. [Photo/IC]

Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian has been granted one-month medical parole after serving more than six years in prison for corruption, the Taiwan authority announced on Monday.

Chen, 64, was convicted of taking more than $12 million in embezzlement and bribe-taking.

He has reportedly suffered from depression, sleep apnea, heart ailments and neural degeneration while behind bars, and authorities say he attempted suicide.

The one-month medical parole was granted for treatment of his neural degeneration, which was worsening despite efforts at treatment while he was incarcerated.

Chen is due to be released from Taichung Prison Monday afternoon. Once his condition is stabilized he will return and continue his sentence.