Taiwan prosecutors say a corruption trial for former President Lee Teng-hui will begin on October 21.

The prosecutors said Thursday the proceedings will be held behind closed doors because the charges involve national security matters.

Mr. Lee, who served as president from 1988 to 2000, was indicted in June on charges of embezzling $7.79 million from a secret diplomatic fund. Prosecutors say he and an aide transferred the money to a research institute which made Mr. Lee its honorary chairman and provided both men with luxury offices.

Mr. Lee has denied any wrongdoing and claims the charges are politically motivated.

The 88-year-old Mr. Lee is one of the leading figures of Taiwan history, widely credited with moving the island from autocratic rule to democracy. He became Taiwan's first directly elected president in 1996.

He was expelled from the Kuomintang Party after leaving office in 2000, when he threw his support behind pro-independence forces.

Mr. Lee's successor, Chen Shui-bian, is currently serving a 17-year jail term after being convicted on graft charges. Mr. Chen, who angered Beijing with his pro-independence stance, has claimed he was the target of his successor, Ma Ying-jeou, who has pursued a more friendly policy towards China.