Taiwan Detains Communist Party Chairman Over Suspected Chinese Funding, Election Interference

Taiwanese authorities have detained the chairman of the Taiwan People's Communist Party on suspicion of accepting funding and instructions from China to influence the island's upcoming local elections, according to a report by the Central News Agency (CNA).

Lin Te-wang, who founded the party in 2017, is accused of receiving financial support and directions from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to contest the election for ward chief in Tainan's Xinying District. Prosecutors allege that he also arranged for another party member to contest an election in Hsinchu and helped finance that campaign.

Following questioning, the Tainan District Prosecutors Office sought Lin's detention under Taiwan's Anti-Infiltration Act and Election and Recall Act. Prosecutors cited concerns that he could flee or coordinate with others to destroy evidence. The Tainan District Court approved the request and ordered him held incommunicado.

INVESTIGATION TARGETS SUSPECTED CHINESE INTERFERENCE

The investigation was jointly conducted by the Tainan and Hsinchu District Prosecutors' Offices after they received information that overseas forces were attempting to interfere in Taiwan's November 28 local elections.

The joint team carried out simultaneous searches on Friday. It questioned 13 suspects in Tainan and one suspect and nine witnesses in Hsinchu, CNA reported.

Investigators allege that Lin instructed Chen Zhen-zhou, a member of the party's Central Committee, to contest the election for ward chief in Wuling, in Hsinchu City's North District.

Local media reports cited by CNA said Lin was suspected of accepting instructions and money from an alleged Chinese infiltration source to contest the election and subsequently direct and finance Chen's campaign.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE VOTER INDUCEMENTS

Prosecutors have also alleged that Lin and Chen repeatedly recruited eligible voters to travel to China, where their hospitality was fully funded.

Investigators suspect the trips were intended to influence voters and could amount to vote-buying under Taiwan's Election and Recall Act.

The Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office also sought Chen's detention. However, the Hsinchu District Court ordered his release on bail of NT$50,000 (approximately US$1,525), subject to a requirement that he remain at his registered residence.

The Hsinchu prosecutors' office is expected to appeal against the decision. Other suspects and witnesses questioned during the investigation have been released as inquiries continue, CNA reported.

With inputs from ANI