Ma pleads not guilty in Taipei

Ma Ying-jeou, former leader of Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption on the opening day of his trial in Taipei yesterday.

"I will face the charge with a plain and calm attitude. I have confidence in my innocence and put my faith in the justice of the court," Ma said just before entering the court in the morning.

As he entered, a crowd of his supporters gathered outside the court and were involved in skirmishes with supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).