Reporter Arrested Over Spy Ring Allegations
Prosecutors in southern Taiwan ordered the arrest of 6 individuals, including a reporter from a local media outlet, for their alleged roles in a Chinese spy ring.
Taiwanese Reporter Arrested in Chinese Spy Case
REPORTER:
Prosecutors in Kaohsiung’s Ciaotou District say that Lin Chen-you, a reporter for CTi news, was detained for allegedly bribing military personnel to leak information to China.
Five active-duty and retired military personnel are also being held incommunicado, after a series of raids on Friday.
Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu-chun (DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON, DEFENSE MINISTRY):
The case was investigated by the National Security Bureau in line with national security joint mechanisms coordinated between the NSB, defense ministry and Investigation Bureau. Relevant individuals were apprehended through follow-on leads, and evidence related to the National Security Act was collected and acted upon immediately. The case has been reported to the Ciaotou District Prosecutors’ Office.
REPORTER:
Ten individuals were under investigation, including Lin, although only he and five others have been detained so far. The ministry refused to comment any further on the case, saying the investigation is ongoing. CTi denied rumors that its offices had been targeted in the raids, and said it had no information on the case and could not comment, though the outlet did urge for a fair and impartial investigation. Lin covered politics for CTi and also hosted some of its YouTube content.
Chang Chi-kai (Legislator, TPP):
We hope the Lin Chen-you case will not cause further harm to the judiciary. We hope there will be a fair trial, with neither a wrongful conviction nor too much leniency.
Puma Shen (Legislator, DPP):
As for whether some individuals were acting as middlemen on behalf of China or using their contacts in China to provide benefits to people here that is up to the legal process.
REPORTER:
The case started when prosecutors looked into an active-duty member of the Republic of China Marine Corps filming himself pledging allegiance to Beijing in return for more than 7,000 US dollars. After investigating and charging him, prosecutors found his ties to a wider network of people acting on behalf of China, although they clarified that Lin did not provide the marine with funds.
REPORTER:
Ryan Wu and Lery Hiciano, for TaiwanPlus.
