Prosecutors expand probe into escape of a former aide

OTHER CASE: The man, who has been on the run for two months, is also being investigated over allegations that he set up a spy network for China

Taipei prosecutors yesterday said they had expanded a probe into the escape by a legislative aide — who was indicted on corruption charges — after he jumped bail in September.

The fishing boat Man Jui Fu 6 (滿瑞富6號) was seized at Jhengbin Fishing Harbor (正濱漁港) in Keelung on Wednesday, during which five crew members — a Chinese national surnamed Chen (陳) and four Indonesian nationals — were questioned, the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said.

The crew members, the boat’s owner, surnamed Lee (李), and the captain, surnamed Huang (黃), were scheduled to be further questioned yesterday over their suspected involvement in the case of Chang Chun-chieh (張俊傑), a former legislative office director for independent Legislator May Chin (高金素梅).

The captain, right, of the vessel Man Jui Fu 6 is escorted to the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for further questioning yesterday.

Photo: Liu Yung-yun, Taipei Times

Chang was allegedly seen boarding the fishing boat Chien Chun 168 (錢春168號) at Jhengbin Fishing Harbor on the night of Oct. 28 before being picked up at sea by the Man Jui Fu 6, prosecutors said.

Asked yesterday at a news conference whether a Chinese “fifth column” facilitated the escape, Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said authorities would track down all accomplices who allegedly helped Chang flee.

“The government’s responsibility is to maintain public order and pursue criminals,” Lee said. “Regardless of whether it is a criminal syndicate or any other group, anyone involved in assisting the escape will be tracked down.”

Chang was among 24 people indicted by the office in June on charges of conspiring with Chin to misappropriate assistant fees, in contravention of the Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例).

He has been on the run since breaking his electronic monitoring wristband at Daan Forest Park in Taipei on Sept. 6 while out on NT$10 million (US$304,173) bail, prompting the Taipei District Court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

The High Prosecutors’ Office said the former aide is also under investigation in a separate case over allegations that he received funds from China to establish a spy network in Taiwan, in contravention of the National Security Act (國家安全法).

Additional reporting by Chung Li-hua