Peng Tzu-wen (彭子文), former director of the National Security Bureau's Special Service Center, was yesterday found guilty by the Taiwan High Court of leaking national secrets to the media.
The Taiwan High Court found Peng guilty of violating the National Secrets Law (
Peng said yesterday that he would appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
The Taiwan High Court's Prosecutors Office indicted Peng in August 2005 for leaking national secrets and for potentially putting President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) life in jeopardy after he disclosed details about the deployment of special agents at the president's official residence.
The Taiwan High Court's ruling said evidence indicated that Peng had made the confidential information public -- information that could have put Chen in danger.
Peng had been a frequent guest on television talk shows, where he revealed details about the deployment of special agents and plans related to national emergencies.
Peng said on television that the Presidential Office and Ministry of National Defense underground channels would be open on the Oct. 10 National Day and that two helicopters would be on standby at a military airport in Taipei in case of an emergency.
Colonel Chen Feng-lin (陳鳳麟) of the Special Service Center's logistics department confessed that he had leaked classified information regarding security measures at President Chen's residence as well as details of the president's itinerary to Peng.
Chen was not indicted by military prosecutors.
Peng said on television that he would not "take a bullet for president Chen."
Peng is alleged to have leaked the secrets in an attempt to seek revenge after he was turned down for promotion.
Peng retired as director of the Special Service Center in 2003.
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