The Taipei District Court on Wednesday ruled that a former National Security Bureau (NSB) official, who has been on the run for nearly 25 years, can no longer be prosecuted or punished for corruption, as the statute of limitations has expired.
Liu Kuan-chun (劉冠軍), a former NSB colonel, was accused of embezzling NT$190 million (US$6.12 million at today’s exchange rate) in funds allocated for classified government operations.
He fled to China in September 2000, before being formally indicted on Nov. 12, 2003. The Taipei District Court issued a warrant for his arrest on May 21, 2004.
Photo: Wang Meng-lun, Taipei Times
The court ruling said that under Taiwan’s laws, the statute of limitations for corruption charges is 20 years, with an additional five years added when a suspect is evading justice.
The court determined the limitation period began on April 2, 1999 — the date Liu’s alleged criminal activity ended — meaning the final deadline to prosecute him was Feb. 24, which has already passed.
The ruling can be appealed.
Prosecutors recovered a portion of the embezzled funds. In March 2023, about NT$129 million of the allegedly stolen money was retrieved after authorities seized and auctioned off shares owned by Liu.
A re-examination of Liu’s case by the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office in 2021 also showed that he was suspected of having surrendered to the Chinese government and engaging in espionage activities.
He is still wanted for the espionage case.
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