Taiwanese prosecutors said yesterday that they will appeal a court's decision to acquit Taiwan's former leader Chen Shui-bian on charges he took bribes from two bankers.

Taiwan's former leader Chen Shui-bian.[File photo]

On Friday, Taipei District Court said it found no evidence showing Chen took NT$600 million (US$20 million) in exchange for promises not to block the bankers' separate mergers initiated by Cathay Bank and Yuanta Securities Co Executives claimed the funds were political donations.

Yesterday, prosecution spokesman Chen Hung-ta told reporters that prosecutors working on the case did not agree with the court's findings and will appeal soon.

Current leader Ma Ying-jeou appeared to question the court's decision as well.

"The judiciary needs to be independent but it cannot be isolated from society or betray public expectations," Ma said.

Chen has already been convicted on separate corruption charges in the past.