Liberty Times: What can you tell us about the police investigations into those who allegedly threatened violence against the Hong Kong democracy advocates visiting Taiwan?
Chen Kuo-en (陳國恩): My understanding is that the Hong Kong lawmakers and social activists originally intended to keep their visit to Taiwan secret. However, there was probably an information breach prior to them boarding their flight to Taiwan as a result of protests against them that took place in Hong Kong, from leaks at a forum they attended in the territory where details of their itinerary were discussed, or because they were being tailed by people for a particular purpose.
The New Power Party (NPP) — which organized their visit — did not apply for protection. Following intelligence we received about people who planned to protest against them, we contacted the director of the Aviation Police Bureau and advised him that he should ensure security operations are conducted properly.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
On Jan. 7, the Aviation Police Bureau deployed about 100 police officers at Taoyuan airport, with 80 inside the terminal and 20 outside. There were between 100 and 200 protesters outside [the terminal]. Six people attempted to initiate a physical altercation inside the terminal. However, officers gained control swiftly and guided [democracy campaigner] Joshua Wong (黃之鋒) and company through the area.
The bureau identified the six as members of the China Unification Promotion Party (CUPP, 中華統一促進黨), of whom two were known to the National Police Agency as registered members of criminal gangs.
We recommended charging four people with obstruction under the Criminal Code and charging two others for breaches of the Social Order Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法). Their cases have been filed with the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office.
In addition, we believe two gang leaders who led the demonstration outside the terminal were accomplices. We questioned them, and they are under investigation.
Following the incident, we contacted the Taipei City Police Department and advised them to maintain security throughout the duration of the Hong Kong group’s visit, including at their hotel, at the forums they participated in and while they ate.
As we expected the presence of demonstrators affiliated with the Patriot Association (愛國同心會) and the CUPP outside the morning conferences the group attended on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, the police contacted NPP lawmakers and discussed [security measures] with them, in order to protect the participants from harm.
During those conferences, some members of the crowd shoved police officers and various sound devices were also used.
I told the Taipei City Police Department that ordinary social activists do not shadow [specific individuals] like this. Those actions were deliberate, possibly under the direction [of other entities], and conducted with the intent to cause violent disruption. We must enforce the law strictly.
As a result, the police recorded [the demonstrations] for evidence and detained two members of the CUPP and four members of the Patriot Association.
We filed paperwork against the six, who we recommended be charged with violating the Assembly and Parade Act (集會遊行法); committing obstruction and insulting public officials thus violating the Criminal Code and breaches of the Social Order Maintenance Act. Those cases are now in the hands of the courts.
[Hong Kong lawmaker] Nathan Law (羅冠聰) and company had applied for police protection in Hong Kong, only to be wounded on their return — in the presence of Hong Kong law enforcement officers. That did not occur in Taiwan; we neutralized the threats. Our police did their jobs.
We believe that had they informed us before the fact, we absolutely would have planned, prepared and deployed police forces very differently. For example, no demonstrations or any incidents took place on Saturday last week, when Wong was once again invited to visit Taiwan, which was a sharp contrast [with the previous events].
As for those who use human rights or the right to assembly as an excuse to harm human rights and civic freedoms and to disrupt society, the police are cooperating with prosecutors to reveal the criminal organizations and gangs orchestrating those actions.
As of now, law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities are to prioritize investigations into people thought to have unlawfully interfered with demonstrations, public assemblies or public hearings, or targeted specific people for harassment — there will be no tolerance of their behavior.
LT: The police raided the Hai Chu chapter of the Four Seas Gang on Jan. 10. Was there any evidence that this group is working with the Bamboo Union to influence politics?
Chen: From what we have gathered there were two groups involved in these civic organization activities. There has already been an expansion of investigations involving the police and national security officers into whether the factions involved in this case were cooperating or had any influential involvement. Among the main aims of the investigation is to determine whether the groups cited human rights as a veil for engaging in destructive behavior or to foment disputes. If any group is found to have caused social unrest under the pretense of engaging in human rights activities and to have gathered a crowd to engage in unlawful behavior, the police will not be lenient.
LT: It is widely rumored that the founder of the pro-unification Patriot Association is former president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) father. Has this information affected police handling of that group’s activities?
Chen: The police’s approach to law enforcement will absolutely not be affected by anything. For example, last year we handled 23 cases involving illegal protests, of which six or so concerned the Patriot Association. All those cases went to trial for [alleged] social order violations. The case with the Hong Kong democracy advocates involves conflict with police officers, fomenting disturbances and obstructing government officials — these are serious crimes that carry heavy punishments. Therefore, there is no issue [with law enforcement].
There are about 20 members of the Patriot Association. We have investigated their backgrounds and have not discovered any involvement with criminal activity. However, they often gather outside Taipei 101, in the Ximending (西門町) shopping area or outside the National Palace Museum, where they have been accused of causing disturbances. At our national meeting on Jan. 10 we decided to request that these areas strengthen security measures, and that officials there do not gloss over such disturbances, but rather report them to the authorities for investigation.
The values of law enforcement must be maintained, we cannot have people saying the situation is hopeless and just doing nothing. Wherever there is evidence we must be there investigating. We must be absolutely resolute in enforcing the law. We cannot let any organization be opportunistic in causing trouble and social disturbance.
If there is any violation of social order or illegal behavior we must use our strength to execute the law by investigating and punishing those found in violation. We must safeguard the people’s freedom of speech.
Translated by staff writers Jonathan Chin and William Hetherington
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