Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian protested his innocence and launched an offensive in his first court appearance yesterday after a four-day hunger strike.

The hearing at the Taipei district court is part of the trial of the former leader's family on graft charges.

Chen and his wife Wu Shu-chen were indicted for illegally receiving, embezzling and laundering NT$490 million ($14.7 million), while 12 other family members, former aides and associates were charged in connection with money laundering and bribery.