From Reuters:
Taiwan’s high court cleared presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou of corruption-related charges on Friday, boosting an election campaign that includes pledges to improve the economy and build ties with China.
The ruling was in response to an appeal by prosecutors who accused Ma of misusing T$11.176 million ($344,000) while serving as Taipei mayor. A lower court exonerated him in August.
A conviction in the case could have sent Ma to prison and barred him from running as the Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate against ruling party nominee Frank Hsieh in the March 22 election. [Full Text]