The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling that found independence activist Su Beng (史明) guilty of using violence or threatening behavior at a public gathering and other crimes in a 2005 protest against then-Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan’s (連戰) visit to China.
On April 26, 2005, the day Lien embarked on his trip to China, hundreds of pan-green and pan-blue supporters clashed in the lobby of the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The visit came shortly after China passed its “Anti-Secession” Law, which says the People’s Liberation Army can use “non-peaceful means” against Taiwan.
In the course of the protest, the 92-year-old Su and his associates lit firecrackers, which the courts said disrupted order at the airport and endangered passersby.
During his trials, Su said that he called for the fireworks to be set off out of self-defense because he saw gang members at the scene.
Thursday’s ruling said that Su violated the Criminal Code (刑法) and the Assembly and Parade Act (集會遊行法) and refused to disperse after being ordered to do so by police.
The Supreme Court sentenced Su to a total of 230 days in prison, but allowed him the option of paying a fine in lieu of serving time in jail. The judges said they were lenient because Su’s actions did not cause injury or death. The ruling is final and cannot be appealed.
After the verdict, Su said his protests were a product of his love for Taiwan.
“How could that be called a crime?” he asked.
Su said he led the protest at the airport because he was worried China would take over Taiwan. If President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) follows in Hong Kong’s footsteps, Taiwan will soon become part of China, Su said, adding that he was very angry with the verdict and had not considered his next step.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LEE HSIN-FANG
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