Taiwan Investigates Alleged Chinese-Inspired Attacks on Critics
Taiwanian authorities are investigating a series of alleged attacks on individuals critical of the Chinese government, which they claim are part of a growing trend of transnational repression.
In September, comedian Huang Yi-hao was involved in a car accident, but authorities later determined it was not an ordinary incident. Taipei prosecutors in October charged five men for deliberately attempting to injure Huang, who had previously criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping in his performances (source ID: 1). According to Chiu Shao-Chou, the commissioner of Taiwan's Criminal investigation Bureau, the attacks began as verbal harassment and escalated to property damage and fake car accidents, indicating a trend of increasing severity (source ID: 1). [1]
Prosecutors allege that the five men accepted about 450,000 New Taiwan dollars ($13,900) from someone in China who went by the alias “K” and wanted them to injure Huang seriously enough that he could no longer perform (source ID: 1). Huang believes his criticism of Xi is the reason for the attack and has since stopped collaborating with other comedians, noting that others have faced similar consequences in China and Taiwan (source ID: 1). [1]
In another case, Hong Kong gangsters were accused of plotting to assault Japanese political commentator Akio Yaita, with Taiwanese prosecutors calling it an instance of “transnational repression.” Prosecutors stated that five Hong Kong triad members entered Taiwan in early July and inspected the area around the hotel where Yaita was expected to give a speech, though two withdrew before the attack (source ID: 1). One of the men was offered 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,750) to assault Yaita, and he was later arrested, while another fled (source ID: 1). [1]
In September, comedian Huang Yi-hao was involved in a car accident, but authorities later determined it was not an ordinary incident. Prosecutors allege that the five men accepted about 450,000 New Taiwan dollars ($13,900) from someone in China who went by the alias “K” and wanted them to injure Huang seriously enough that he could no longer perform (source ID: 1). [1]
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In another case, Hong Kong gangsters were accused of plotting to assault Japanese political commentator Akio Yaita, with Taiwanese prosecutors calling it an instance of “transnational repression.” Prosecutors stated that five Hong Kong triad members entered Taiwan in early July and inspected the area around the hotel where Yaita was expected to give a speech (source ID: 1). [1]
According to an October statement from prosecutors, two of the five Hong Kong triad members withdrew before the attack, and the pair, alongside another member, left Taiwan. One of the men was offered 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,750) to assault Yaita, the prosecutors said. He punched the commentator in the face and was later arrested, while another, who acted as a lookout, fled Taiwan (source ID: 1). [1]
In September, comedian Huang Yi-hao was involved in a car accident, but authorities later determined it was not an ordinary incident. Prosecutors allege that the five men accepted about 450,000 New Taiwan dollars ($13,900) from someone in China who went by the alias “K” and wanted them to injure Huang seriously enough that he could no longer perform (source ID: 1). This case has drawn attention across Taiwan, with officials noting a growing trend of harassment or attacks by operatives paid by China against individuals critical of the Beijing government. [1]
In another case, Hong Kong gangsters were accused of plotting to assault Japanese political commentator Akio Yaita, with Taiwanese prosecutors calling it an instance of “transnational repression.” Prosecutors stated that five Hong Kong triad members entered Taiwan in early July and inspected the area around the hotel where Yaita was expected to give a speech (source ID: 1). According to an October statement from prosecutors, two of the five Hong Kong triad members withdrew before the attack, and the pair, along with another member, left Taiwan, the statement said. [1]
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One of the men was offered 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,750) to assault Yaita, the prosecutors said. He punched the commentator in the face and was later arrested, while another, who acted as a lookout, fled Taiwan. Yaita, a former reporter in Beijing who now leads a think tank in Taiwan, believes the assault was linked to his remarks, including his criticism of the Chinese government’s policies (source ID: 1). [1]
In September, comedian Huang Yi-hao was involved in a car accident, but authorities later determined it was not an ordinary incident. Prosecutors allege that the five men accepted about 450,000 New Taiwan dollars ($13,900) from someone in China who went by the alias “K” and wanted them to injure Huang seriously enough that he could no longer perform (source ID: 1). [1]
In another case, Hong Kong gangsters were accused of plotting to assault Japanese political commentator Akio Yaita, with Taiwanese prosecutors calling it an instance of “transnational repression.” Prosecutors stated that five Hong Kong triad members entered Taiwan in early July and inspected the area around the hotel where Yaita was expected to give a speech (source ID: 1). [1]
According to an October statement from prosecutors, two of the five Hong Kong triad members withdrew before the attack, and the pair, along with another member, left Taiwan, the statement said. One of the men was offered 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,750) to assault Yaita, the prosecutors said (source ID: 1). [1]
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