Korean State Investigators Plan to Interrogate Former President Lee Myung-bak

Published March 26th, 2018 - 02:00 GMT
S. Korean Former President Lee Myung-bak to stand in court this week over string of corruption charges. (AFP/ File Photo)
S. Korean Former President Lee Myung-bak to stand in court this week over string of corruption charges. (AFP/ File Photo)

State investigators plan to interrogate former President Lee Myung-bak, Monday, afternoon over a string of corruption charges.

Proseuctors told reporters, Sunday, they plan to visit Lee in his solitary cell at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center where he was placed early Thursday after a court approved his arrest, citing the risk of him destroying evidence.

The prosecution decided not to question him the next day as a form of courtesy to the former leader.

Lee stands accused of at least a dozen charges including bribery, abuse of power, embezzlement and tax evasion during the of his presidency.

Prosecutors believe he embezzled roughly $32 million from an auto company he has long been suspected of owning as well as taking more than $10 million in kickbacks from the country's National Intelligence Service and large corporations including Samsung Electronics.

Other charges include breach of trust, illegally collecting presidential documents as well as violating election law.

If convicted of all charges, Lee may face a maximum of 45 years in prison, Yonhap reported.

The prosecution has up to 20 days to hold and question him in custody as his detention expires on Apr. 10.

This article has been adapted from its original source.


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