Two of the nation's most wanted fugitives, Chen Yi-hua (陳益華) and Hsueh Chiu (薛球), were extradited from China yesterday, arriving in Taipei to stand trial after more than three years on the run, according to the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
"Chen and Hsueh's extradition represents the government's determination in fighting crime and protecting citizens' lives and property," said Minister of the Interior Su Jia-chyuan (
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
Su also made clear that cross-strait cooperation in the extradition of criminals was not based upon cash rewards. The Executive Yuan has in the past offered rewards for the capture of the nation's most wanted fugitives, and a reward of NT$10 million had been approved for the capture of the two fugitives. The minister, however, dodged the question of whether the Chinese police would be rewarded for their help in the arrest of Chen and Hsueh.
"The Chinese police authorities have not requested the reward, but according to regulations, we are obliged to reward an informant who aids in the capture of a fugitive. We will proceed in accordance with our regulations," Su said.
Su also took the opportunity to warn against attempting to avoid the long arm of Taiwanese justice by escaping to China.
"To the 326 fugitives who have yet to be arrested, cross-strait cooperation on crime will make it impossible to escape the forces of law by escaping to China," Su said.
Chen and Hsueh were captured and detained by Chinese police in July in Xiamen. The whereabouts of the two fugitives was revealed when they attempted to blackmail Yang Teng-kuei (楊登魁), owner of the GTV cable TV station, for NT$50 million while they were in Xiamen. According to authorities, Chen and Hsueh had taken refuge in China in November of last year.
The two returned to Taiwan in accordance with the Kinmen Agreement of 1990 that sets out guidelines for cross-strait extradition of criminals. They were transported by ship to the outlying island of Matsu before being flown to Taipei and arriving at the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 3:30pm yesterday afternoon.
Chen and Hsueh had been arrested by Miaoli police in March 21, 2000, but they were released the same day by the Miaoli District Court on bail of NT$300,000 and NT$200,000 respectively. They have been on the run since.The two built their notoriety on a string of high-profile kidnappings, including that of Taichung City Council Vice Speaker Chang Hung-nien (
In addition, the two are wanted on charges of armed robbery on several counts, including a raid of the military's Hsinchu financial office in January 2001, during which the two got away with NT$ 2.2 million.
MISINFORMATION: The generated content tends to adopt China’s official stance, such as ‘Taiwan is currently governed by the Chinese central government,’ the NSB said Five China-developed artificial intelligence (AI) language models exhibit cybersecurity risks and content biases, an inspection conducted by the National Security Bureau (NSB) showed. The five AI tools are: DeepSeek, Doubao (豆包), Yiyan (文心一言), Tongyi (通義千問) and Yuanbao (騰訊元寶), the bureau said, advising people to remain vigilant to protect personal data privacy and corporate business secrets. The NSB said it, in accordance with the National Intelligence Services Act (國家情報工作法), has reviewed international cybersecurity reports and intelligence, and coordinated with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and the National Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Bureau to conduct an inspection of China-made AI language
BOOST IN CONFIDENCE: The sale sends a clear message of support for Taiwan and dispels rumors that US President Donald Trump ‘sold out’ the nation, an expert said The US government on Thursday announced a possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet parts, which was estimated to cost about US$330 million, in a move that an expert said “sends a clear message of support for Taiwan” amid fears that Washington might be wavering in its attitude toward Taipei. It was the first announcement of an arms sale to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. The proposed package includes non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, as well repair and return support for the F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft,
CHECKING BOUNDARIES: China wants to disrupt solidarity among democracies and test their red lines, but it is instead pushing nations to become more united, an expert said The US Department of State on Friday expressed deep concern over a Chinese public security agency’s investigation into Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) for “secession.” “China’s actions threaten free speech and erode norms that have underpinned the cross-strait ‘status quo’ for decades,” a US Department of State spokesperson said. The Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau late last month listed Shen as “wanted” and launched an investigation into alleged “secession-related” criminal activities, including his founding of the Kuma Academy, a civil defense organization that prepares people for an invasion by China. The spokesperson said that the US was “deeply concerned” about the bureau investigating Shen
‘TROUBLEMAKER’: Most countries believe that it is China — rather than Taiwan — that is undermining regional peace and stability with its coercive tactics, the president said China should restrain itself and refrain from being a troublemaker that sabotages peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks after China Coast Guard vessels sailed into disputed waters off the Senkaku Islands — known as the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) in Taiwan — following a remark Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made regarding Taiwan. Takaichi during a parliamentary session on Nov. 7 said that a “Taiwan contingency” involving a Chinese naval blockade could qualify as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, and trigger Tokyo’s deployment of its military for defense. Asked about the escalating tensions
RSS