An 81-year-old man was detained on Tuesday for allegedly leaving a death threat against Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) at Taipei City Hall last month, Taipei police said yesterday.
The suspect, a New Taipei City resident surnamed Huang (黃), said he had never meant to harm Ko, but was simply expressing discontent with the mayor’s administration.
Ko yesterday said he would not pursue the matter, adding that he has been encouraging people to voice their opinions cordially.
Photo: CNA
“The police turned in a report on it to me, but I have not read it,” Ko said. “There will always be different voices in society and I would encourage people to protest in a peaceful way.”
“I do not want to pursue him, because I would like to make society more peaceful,” Ko said.
A crumpled piece of recycled paper with repeated threats to kill Ko and abusive language scrawled on it was found on Feb. 19 outside the Family Theater on the second floor of Taipei City Hall, Taipei City Public Affairs Management Center Director Tu Ying-hui (杜英輝) said.
Photo: Courtesy of the Taipei City Police Department
Having examined the note and footage from surveillance cameras at City Hall and public buses, the police identified Huang and picked him up at his residence in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和), Taipei City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division head Lee Wen-chang (李文章) said.
After questioning Huang, the police took him to the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, Lee said.
Huang could face charges of obstructing public safety by threat.
Huang reportedly told police that he took a bus from his home to Taipei City Hall and left the note there because of his frustration with Ko’s governance.
Lee said Huang was just venting his anger and had no intention of actually hurting Ko.
Meanwhile, a man surnamed Liu (劉) has reported to the city government that some gang members were plotting against Ko’s life.
However, the police have dismissed the report, saying Liu is mentally disturbed.
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