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1st LD Writethru: S.Korean court rejects request to detain Samsung heir for bribery charge

Xinhua, January 19, 2017 Adjust font size:

A South Korean court early Thursday rejected a request from prosecutors to detain the heir apparent of Samsung Group, the country's biggest family-controlled conglomerate, despite alleged charges of bribery, perjury and embezzlement.

The arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was dismissed by the court, which made a marathon deliberation for almost 15 hours.

The independent counsel team investigating the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye requested Lee's detention on Monday.

Lee, who had been waiting for the determination at the Seoul detention center, will return home immediately.

The rejection indicated lack of evidence to prove charges, which the special prosecutors leveled against the Samsung heir. Enditem