The United Daily News, quoting unnamed prosecutors, said they would centre first on around 30 generals promoted by former president Chen Shui-bian.

However, hundreds of other lieutenant and major generals promoted under his eight-year presidency would also be investigated, it added.

Prosecutors from the military high court, a district court and the civilian high court met Monday for the first time to discuss the alleged bribery case, they said in a joint statement.

"Prosecutors exchanged views in full on the information they have gathered and discussed the direction of investigation," it said, without elaborating.

Asked to comment on the report, Defence Minister Chen Chao-min said simply that "everything is being handled in accordance with the law."

The investigation comes after a retired lieutenant general was indicted on charges of bribery, blackmail and leaking secrets. He is accused of attempting to gain promotion by bribing his superiors through a middleman.

Three colonels have also been indicted on graft charges.

Chen Shui-bian, who had often irked China with his pro-independence stance, stepped down in May last year.

He is embroiled in a trial charged with embezzlement, money laundering and taking bribes but fiercely maintains his innocence, accusing Taipei's current Beijing-friendly government of leading a witch-hunt against him.

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