The Ministry of Justice announced yesterday that it is investigating nearly triple the number of cases of negligent building practices since its last public update on Oct. 1.
A total of 171 cases have been identified where structural damage during the 921 earthquake was found to have been a direct result of substandard construction or design. Of these, 147 cases, 86 percent of the total, have been turned up by investigations in Tai-chung and Nantou counties, the two areas hardest-hit by the quake.
Prosecutors have identified 133 suspects, including 120 contractors and builders, 11 architects, and two structural engineers. Of these, 13 have been detained and 40 released on bail. A total of 76 have been prevented from leaving the country.
The ministry said it had placed a priority on collecting materials from damaged buildings for use against suspects during court proceedings.
Reconstruction of damaged buildings under investigation will not proceed until the cases go to trial, ministry officials announced yesterday.
The suspects have been accused of either negligence or endangerment of public safety.
Under the criminal code, a contractor or building inspector who endangers public safety by violating construction codes can be sentenced to a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to NT$9,000.
Anyone who kills another person through negligence in performing his or her occupation faces a jail term of five years and a fine not exceeding NT$9,000.
Quake victims have expressed worries that builders and contractors will escape civil liability by disposing of or transferring their assets before a court injunction can be imposed.
Prosecutors have ordered their local offices to prevent suspects from applying to dispose of their assets in this way while investigations are under way.
However, prosecutors cannot seize builders' property unless the property is used as evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Justice ministry officials suggested yesterday that victims seek court orders to temporarily freeze builders' assets through civil litigation.
Considering the slow process that such action would entail, however, it does not appear likely that many homeowners will follow the ministry's advice.
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