Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping of Hong Kong tycoon Wong Yuk-kwan (黃煜坤) in September this year, the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said yesterday.
Tsai Wen-li (蔡文力) has been charged with kidnapping for ransom, while six other suspects were also indicted, with prosecutors seeking prison terms from seven to 15 years for them, the office said.
Wong, chairman of Hong Kong-based Pearl Oriental Oil Group was kidnapped by men, allegedly at Tsai’s instructions, in New Taipei City’s Sindian District (新店) on Sept. 20.
The ransom demand was for HK$70 million (US$9.03 million) in bitcoins.
After being held for 38 days, Wong was rescued when police raided a house in Yunlin County. The alleged kidnappers and 15 other suspects were arrested.
Wong’s Taiwanese wife reportedly collected HK$11 million for the ransom, but police said no ransom was paid.
In 2013 Wongs’ assets were frozen by Hong Kong authorities after he was indicted along with another Pearl Oriental Oil executives on fraud and money-laundering charges in connection with the purchase of an oil field in the US.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
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