The government announced yesterday that would allow defector Justin Lin (
Whether Lin could face criminal charges, however, remains to be decided and, that being so, Lin told a Taiwan television channel yesterday evening that he will decide before June 3 -- the day before the funeral -- whether to return.
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) announced the decision at a news conference held by the MAC, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) yesterday evening.
MOI Political Vice Minister Hsu Ing-shen (許應深) added, "We have checked Taiwan's household registrations and are sure that Justin Lin is the man formerly known as Lin Cheng-yi [林正義]."
Chen said that the government made its decision on humanitarian grounds, but added that Lin, "would not be allowed to do anything except attend the funeral."
As for whether Lin could face criminal charges on his return, Chen said, "As I speak, the [MND's] military justice department is starting its investigation into the case."
He said that the government's decision would not influence the investigation since "the military justice system works alone and independently."
The director of the MND's Bureau of Military Justice, Rear Admiral Liu Chin-an (劉錦安)m said, "Nobody can say how the prosecutor will deal with the case."
Lieutenant-General Chen Ti-tuan (
Interviewed by a Taiwanese TV station in Beijing yesterday, Lin said he hoped to see his father's face one more time before the coffin is sealed.
The issue of Lin's return was generated heated debate among lawmakers, many of whom advised against appearing to condone Lin's defection.
PFP Legislator Chiu Yi (
"If Lin is granted permission, many soldiers would think it all right to defy orders," Chiu said. "This would aggravate the confusion over loyalty in the military."
DPP Legislator Tang Bi-a (
Fellow DPP colleagues Lan Mei-chin (藍美津) and Ho Chin-sung (
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