Former Costa Rican president jailed on suspicion of graft

[dArKeR]

A court on Friday ordered former Costa Rican president Rafael Angel Calderon held for up to nine months while he awaits trial on corruption charges.

It is the first time in the country's history that a former president has been jailed. Calderon, president from 1990 to 1994, was to be taken to La Reforma prison compound about 20km west of San Jose.

Calderon's father, Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia, was considered Costa Rica's "great social reformer" as president from 1940 to 1944.

The younger Calderon is a leading figure in the ruling Social Christian Unity Party. He is accused of syphoning money from a loan of US$39.5 million from Finland, meant to buy equipment for public hospitals.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/10/24/2003208220