Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Monday former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian had been expelled from the party and would not be allowed to apply to join again in the next five years, as a result of Friday's first trial verdict finding him guilty of corruption, local media reported.

Chen was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Taipei District Court on charges of embezzlement, money laundering, bribery and document falsification, and was also fined 200 million New Taiwan dollars (6 million U.S. dollars).

On Oct. 9 last year, the DPP passed a resolution saying once Chen had been found guilty in the first instance, he would be expelled from the party.

A DPP spokesman said Monday the DPP resolution took effect immediately following the guilty verdict.

Chen resigned from the party in August last year, because of the corruption charges.

Chen was first indicted in December 2008 for money laundering and bribery, and since then has been in detention.

He was elected Taiwan leader in May 2000 and was in office for eight years.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2009)