A fugitive arms broker and his family were indicted yesterday for their alleged role in illegal activities relating to the procurement of six Lafayette-class frigates from France in 1991.
Andrew Wang (汪傳浦), the Taiwanese agent of French arms supplier Thompson-CSF, his wife Yeh Hsiu-chen (葉秀貞) and their four children were indicted on charges of gaining illegal commissions from the Lafayette deal.
Prosecutors suggested a life sentence for Wang and a 16-year sentence for Yeh. Prosecutors also requested 14-year prison terms for their son Wang Jia-hsing (汪家興) and 11 years for two other sons, Wang Jia-yung (汪家勇) and Wang Jia-ming (汪家明), and for their daughter Wang Jun-ling (汪君玲).
Also indicted were Kuo Li-heng (郭力恆), a former naval captain who has been jailed over another corruption case, and his brother Kuo Wen-tien (郭問天). Prosecutors say that the brothers admitted to accepting a bribe of nearly US$17.6 million from Wang.
Prosecutors suggested a 20-year sentence for Kuo Li-heng and a 42-month sentence for Kuo Wen-tien.
Prosecutors also alleged that the Wang family opened more than 60 bank accounts in several countries to launder the money.
Former senior government figures such as president Lee Teng-hui (
Wang and his family are believed to be in Europe.
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