Kaohsiung-Former legislator Lo Chih-ming (???) and retired Navy major general Hsia Fu-hsiang (???) were questioned while in the custody of prosecutors Thursday on suspicion of recruiting retired military personnel to travel on hosted trips to China.
Local media reported on Wednesday that the Kaohsiung Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office had carried out searches and questioned seven people on Tuesday over suspected violations of the National Security Act.
They allege that a retired Air Force colonel, surnamed Liu (?) recruited at least six military officers over a period of eight years to take part in unspecified espionage activities on behalf of China.
Prosecutors were granted their request on Wednesday to detain Liu and three active Air Force and Navy officers, while three other active military officers were freed on NT$100,000 (US$3,260) to NT$200,000 bail.
As part of the same investigation, Kaohsiung prosecutors allege that Lo recruited Hsia into the espionage ring. They said the two had subsequently used their connections to recruit retired military personnel to travel to China to be “entertained” by officials there, with the purpose of helping Beijing develop a network of sources within Taiwan.
On Wednesday, investigators brought in more than 10 individuals for questioning in the case, during which several retired military officers admitted to taking hosted trips to China, but professed ignorance of the purpose behind them.
During interrogation, Lo and Hsia both denied helping China develop an espionage ring. Prosecutors, however, filed a motion to have the two detained, citing the risk of collusion.
Late Thursday, the Kaohsiung District Court set bail for Lo and Hsia at NT$200,000 and NT$150,000, respectively, though as of press time, it was unclear whether prosecutors intended to appeal the ruling.
Lo, 65, previously served in the Legislative Yuan as a member of the pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union and as chairman of Taiyen Biotech’s Xiamen subsidiary. He is currently listed as the head of a real estate development company.
Hsia, among other positions, served as commander of the ROCS Yue-Yang and Deputy Director of the Navy Command’s Political Warfare Department.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel