Evading compulsory military service is a criminal offense punishable by up to seven years in prison, the Ministry of the Interior said today, following reports of entertainers being investigated for evading service.
Local media have reported on 36 cases of people who are under investigation for dodging compulsory service, but are only facing fines and suspended sentences, leading to the ministry clarifying potential penalties and warning the public to follow the law.
This comes after police on Wednesday questioned at least six entertainers in an investigation into allegations that a syndicate has helped men obtain falsified medical documents to dodge service.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
Those who forge documents to evade the draft are already committing several criminal offences, the ministry said.
Under Article 4 of the Punishment Act for Violation to Military Service System (妨害兵役治罪條例), those trying to avoid recruitment shall be sentenced to no more than five years imprisonment, the ministry said.
Furthermore, Article 216 of the Criminal Code punishes people for falsifying documents, ranging from one to seven years imprisonment depending on the type of document in question, the ministry added.
Under Article 80 of the Criminal Code, the statute of limitations for crimes that carry between three and 10 years maximum punishment is 20 years, the ministry said.
Doctors or hospitals that help people falsify medical records would also be held criminally liable and potentially face punishment under relevant medical regulations, the ministry added.
Military service is the foundation of maintaining national security and justice, the ministry said, adding that the government would thoroughly investigate any attempt to circumvent it.
Those involved in evading military service would be prosecuted and face up to a maximum of seven years and have a criminal record, it said.
Ensuring the fairness of compulsory service is part of the responsibility of all citizens, the ministry added.
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