TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Supreme Court on Thursday turned down an appeal for release on bail from Chen Shui-bian in the latest legal setback for the convicted former Taiwanese president. In its ruling paper, the Supreme Court said the High Court’s decision last month to put Chen behind bars was justified. The High Court refused to grant Chen bail while he prepared an appeal of his life term, citing the severity of his crimes as well as the risk that he might escape abroad. Chen was convicted in September of embezzling state funds, laundering money, accepting bribes and committing forgery. His wheelchair-bound wife also received a life sentence on related charges. The former president said his conviction was a vendetta carried out by the Beijing-friendly administration.