TAIPEI - A TAIWAN district court on Monday began reviewing its decision to release former president Chen Shui-bian ahead of his trial on corruption charges after the ruling was twice overturned by the high court.

Chen arrived at court amid tight security for the 2.00 pm hearing, at which his lawyers demanded that the three judges not review an earlier decision made by a different panel of judges in the same court.

Chen's lawyer, Cheng Wen-lung, said he feared the new judges would be 'unfair' to Chen, who, along with his wife, has been charged with embezzling government funds and fraud.

The district court was expected to hand down its decision later in the day.

Chen was taken into custody in November and charged with embezzling government funds and laundering money - the first time a former leader of the island has faced criminal prosecution.

He was released on Dec 13 pending trial. Since then, Chen and his lawyers have battled state prosecutors' attempts to get him back into custody.

On Dec 17, the high court endorsed the prosecutors' appeal and ordered the district court to reconsider its decision. However, the lower court stuck to its guns.

The high court on Sunday again overruled the decision to release Chen after prosecutors appealed for a second time on Dec 24.

Chen faces life in prison if convicted on all counts. In total, 13 other people have been charged in connection with the case, including Chen's wife, son and daughter-in-law. Chen and his relatives insist they are innocent.

The 58-year-old politician rose to power eight years ago pledging to fight corruption. He left office in May after serving the maximum two four-year terms.

Chen has repeatedly said the charges against him are politically motivated, accusing the China-friendly government of his successor, President Ma Ying-jeou, of leading a witch-hunt. -- AFP