Prosecutors are investigating an incident in which Internet celebrity Chen Yee (陳沂) was attacked on a Taipei street, while some legislators said the alleged attacker, who was released on bail, must have acted on someone else’s instructions and authorities should find out if there are any collaborators.
A man surnamed Huang (黃) at about 4pm on Monday allegedly approached Chen when she was in front of her residence in Taipei’s Songshan District (松山), pretending to be a fan and asked to take photos, then allegedly hit her several times in the head and kicked her in the back.
A few people nearby quickly came to her aid and pushed the attacker away as Chen ran to a nearby fire department, video footage from a surveillance camera showed.
Photo: CNA
Police arrived at the scene soon after receiving calls and apprehended Huang. They reported that Huang’s breath smelled alcohol and he has a criminal record of narcotics possession.
Chen, who sustained minor injuries including bruises to an ear and her head, obtained a medical report and filed a judicial complaint.
When questioned, Huang, who allegedly confirmed Chen’s identity when he approached her, said he mistook Chen for another influencer who scammed him, according to media reports.
Chen held a news conference on Tuesday along with several Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators and a city councilor.
“I am a victim, but I have not done anything wrong. Why do I have to hide ... and be subject to violence, when I speak the truth?” Chen said, as she cried and as comforted by her mother.
Chen said she told police that she believed the attack was related to her recent social media feuds involving some influencers and public figures.
She criticized the Taipei district prosecutors’ handling of the case, as Huang was released on bail of NT$50,000, saying: “The perpetrator was let go on NT$50,000 bail. This will make people believe that it is a minor crime to physically attack someone, causing injuries and bleeding in the head... This will encourage such attacks in the society.”
Chen had social media quarrels in the past with some public figures including television variety show host Jacky Wu (吳宗憲), singer Show Luo (羅志祥), nicknamed “Little Pig” (小豬), influencer Ili Cheng (鄭家純) who is also known as Chicken Cutlet Girl (雞排妹), model and actress Sprite Fang (方祺媛), influencer Feng Yu-ting (馮語婷) and several other prominent figures.
Recently elected KMT Legislator-at-large Chen Ching-hui (陳菁徽) said police should prevent such violent incidents caused by disputes on social media and ensure public safety by cracking down on organized crime.
“We do not believe Huang had acted alone... It was provoked, and likely planned by some criminal groups seeking revenge,” Chen said.
She and some other KMT members requested the investigators to look into Huang’s telephone and bank records closely, adding that Huang saying that he mistook Chen for someone else is a usual tactic to protect the real masterminds behind such incidents.
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