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South Korea ex-president Park's detention extended 6 months

Friday, 13 October 2017 3:32 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 13 October 2017 3:34 PM ]

South Korean ousted leader Park Geun-hye (L) arrives wearing handcuffs at a court in Seoul on August 25, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

A South Korean court has extended the detention of the country’s former President Park Geun-hye, pending a court ruling.

The Seoul Central District Court, on Friday, issued an additional six-month arrest warrant for Park, who is on trial over broad corruption allegations that led to her removal from office and arrest in March.

The announcement was made by a court official who didn't want to be named, citing office rules

Her current arrest warrant expires on Monday.

Prosecutors said Park should be kept in detainment until the court reaches a verdict in her case, citing concerns she might try to destroy evidence if released.

A verdict is expected to be issued as early as New Year.

Park, who was arrested and jailed on the last day of March weeks after Seoul's Constitutional Court upheld an impeachment bill passed by lawmakers in December which formally removed her from office, is accused of colluding with a longtime friend to take tens of millions of dollars from companies in bribes and extortion.

PressTV-Park leaves palace, apologizes to South Koreans

South Korea's Park Geun-hye left the presidential complex, the so-called Blue House, shortly after 19:00 local time on Sunday.

Several former cabinet ministers, senior presidential aides and the billionaire head of Samsung corporation, Lee Jae-yong, were all implicated in the case.