Police and agents from the justice ministry's Bureau of Investigation yesterday began the hunt for Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Jung-wei (張榮味) after judges in Yunlin County issued an arrest warrant for Chang the day before.
The judges have also approved a request by Yunlin Chief Prosecutor Hung Shao-wen (洪紹文) that Chang be banned from leaving the country.
Chang had apparently ignored two summonses over alleged involvement in a corruption scandal connected to the construction of the Linnei incinerator, which will begin operating this October.
"Acting on the law, we have decided to locate and arrest him since he has repeatedly ignored our summonses. Our investigation showed that he is a key player in this case, so his testimony is quite crucial," Hung said.
According to the Yunlin District Prosecutors' Office, Tsai Chi-wen (
There is speculation that Chang has fled to China. However, an investigation showed that Chang turned up at the residence of one of his vote captains and called for a meeting with other vote captains on Aug. 15.
Tsai received an anonymous threat last week warning him that if he arrested Chang, he would have to hold a funeral service -- for himself.
"Don't arrest Chang, otherwise the day of his arrest will be the day of your funeral," the letter read.
The original bribery investigation began in June, when prosecutors received a tip-off from an anonymous informant who alleged that Yunlin officials had accepted bribes in connection with the incinerator's construction.
Last month, Linnei township Mayor Chen Ho-shan (
Chang's involvement in a tainted election for Yunlin County Council speaker saw him in hot water in 1994. The Taiwan High Court is expected to arrive at a verdict on the case tomorrow.
Chang's decision to endorse the pan-blue camp in its presidential election bid was widely interpreted as a political investment in having his lawsuit annulled.
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