The family of detained former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian yesterday have agreed to send back to the island the 700 million New Taiwan dollars (US$21 million) in their Swiss bank accounts.

Prosecutors said the move would aid later probes into the money laundering allegations involving Chen and his family.

The announcement was made after morning interrogations against Chen's son Chen Chih-chung and daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching, both defendants in the case. The money would be remitted back into a local bank account designated by the prosecutors.

The money would be confiscated if found to be illegal and returned to the family if found otherwise, the prosecutors said.

The two signed an authorization allowing the prosecutors to investigate the overseas bank accounts during their last interview with police. Yesterday the prosecutors also got permission from Chen's wife Wu Shu-chen.

Chen Shui-bian was detained on Nov. 12. He is accused of money laundering and misusing a special fund during his eight years in office. His term ended in May.