A controversial "magic healer" who claims to have the ability to conjure "medicine pills out of thin air" has asked to leave Taiwan.
Zhang Ying (
Zhang asked the prosecutors for her release so that she could return to the US. She is five months pregnant and feels miserable living in limbo away from her relatives, Zhang said.
Zhang, believed to be in her late 30s or early 40s, asked for a quick resolution of charges that she illegally practiced medicine in Taiwan.
She asked for an early release on parole, and promised to return to Taiwan for further questioning if required to do so.
Taipei prosecutors said they have ruled out an immediate dismissal of the case on the grounds that Zhang must clarify some remaining discrepancies.
In addition, law enforcement authorities are still conducting chemical analyses on the "medicine pills" that Zhang conjured "out of thin air" earlier this year under the glare of heavy media attention.
Zhang -- who also claims to be able to see through people's bodies and diagnose their diseases -- demonstrated her "magical healing powers" at a local television station in January, "snatching pills out of thin air" and handing them out to her "patients."
Taiwanese reporters said that Zhang was certified by the government of China as a "person with miraculous power," and that she charged between NT$6,000 and NT$10,000 for each magic "treatment" given.
However, one of her performances in front of TV cameras on Jan. 5 was challenged by a local magician.
The magician who attended Zhang's demonstration claimed Zhang's so-called "supernatural power" was nothing more than sleight of hand.
Zhang failed to produce any more medicine during her Jan. 5 performance after being disrupted by the magician. She claimed that she could not concentrate her power when in the presence of someone who doubted her abilities.
A few days later, she was summoned to the Taipei Prosecutors' Office for questioning and consequently was prohibited from leaving Taiwan.
Zhang, who lives in the US, arrived in Taiwan in late December with her Taiwan-born husband for a short visit.
She now lives alone at her mother-in-law's home in Taipei, since both her husband and mother-in-law have been living in the US.
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