Taiwan ? A Taiwan court sentenced former President Chen Shui-bian to life in prison after convicting him on graft charges Friday, a spectacular fall from grace for a man who rode to power on promises to end decades of corruption and deepen the island’s de facto independence.

The conviction, which will automatically be appealed, marks a watershed in Taiwan’s turbulent political history, and a crucial test for the island’s still-evolving democracy.

Chen had been charged with embezzling $3.15 million during his 2000-2008 presidency from a special presidential fund, receiving bribes worth at least $9 million in connection with a government land deal, laundering some of the money through Swiss bank accounts, and forging documents.