Arrest of a pair for issuing danger message online
In a development that has sent shockwaves through the legal community, three individuals have been arrested and charged for allegedly threatening Taipei prosecutors involved in the ongoing Core Pacific Mall corruption investigation.
The suspects, a 39-year-old man named Tai, and a Taichung couple, a 41-year-old man named Chou and his girlfriend, also 41 and surnamed Lin, are facing charges under the Criminal Code for threatening to cause injury and for circulating private information without consent. The charges also contravene the Personal Data Protection Act.
The investigation was initiated after Tai allegedly posted a composite image of 11 Taipei prosecutors handling the corruption case on Facebook, urging people to remember their names and faces. The Taichung couple is accused of reposting this image, adding blood-like red streaks and the words "A life for a life," which has been construed as a direct threat.
The arrests occurred on Thursday, based on their social media accounts and IP addresses. Prosecutors are also investigating Tai's earlier posts of the photos and names of three judges presiding over the Core Pacific Mall trials.
The Core Pacific Mall corruption case itself has led to the arrest of high-profile figures, including former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, former deputy mayor Pong Cheng-sheng, other city officials, and executives of Core Pacific Group. The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors have stated that there could be other suspects in the case.
Under questioning, the three suspects expressed concerns about the "unfair treatment" of Ko, Pong, and other officials. The phrase "a life for a life" was allegedly a reference to the death of Pong's wife.
The arrest of these individuals underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the threats against prosecutors. The public is urged to respect the rule of law and refrain from making any threats or posts that could potentially incite violence or harm.
[1] Source: Taiwan News, Focus Taiwan, Central News Agency.
- The arrest of the suspects Tai, Chou, and Lin, over charges of threatening Taipei prosecutors and circulating private information, has become a significant general-news story, bringing the topic of crime-and-justice to the forefront.
- As the Core Pacific Mall corruption investigation unfolds, political tension continues to escalate, with the latest development being the arrest of three individuals who allegedly threatened prosecutors, highlighting the need for upholding the rule of law in politics.
