Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) warned on Oct. 16 that foreign forces could face a stronger police response if they use private investigators, criminal gangs or other local accomplices to carry out surveillance, intimidation or violence in Taiwan.

The warning follows suspected transnational repression cases involving illegal tracking of lawmakers and attacks on Taiwanese citizens and foreign residents, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA). Police said they would trace payments and identify those commissioning and directing the offenses.

Police target private investigators and criminal gangs

The CIB said it would “never tolerate foreign forces using private investigation firms, criminal gangs or other local collaborators” to commit illegal surveillance, threats or violence, CNA reported. Investigators plan to gather evidence for prosecutors and dismantle networks helping foreign actors operate in Taiwan.

In September, Taiwan’s National Police Agency held a compliance seminar with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mainland Affairs Council and private investigation firms. In a September advisory, the CIB told investigators to verify “the client’s true identity, the purpose of the assignment, the source of payment” and how collected information would be used.

Police warned against unauthorized tracking, covert recording and unlawful collection of private information, particularly when clients conceal their identities or offer unusually high payments.

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Those paid by foreign actors to commit assaults, threats or organized violence could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to NT$100 million (about US$3.1 million) under Taiwan’s Criminal Code and Organized Crime Prevention Act. Some offenses could also attract enhanced penalties under the Anti-Infiltration Act. The CIB pledged “systematic crackdowns on organized crime” and advised potential victims to prioritize safety, preserve evidence and contact police.

Comedy club attack underscores free-speech concerns

The warning comes weeks after prosecutors indicted two men over a May 29 attack on Taipei’s Comedy Club, where comedian Huang Yi-hao, known for satirizing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping, was scheduled to perform. Prosecutors allege a man surnamed Liu, acting on instructions from an unidentified person in China, recruited a man surnamed Kuo to throw bags of paint mixed with human feces at the venue. Kuo was allegedly paid NT$50,000 (about US$1,600).

In their Sept. 29 announcement, prosecutors said the attack enabled the CCP to carry out “transnational repression” and suppress freedom of expression in Taiwan. They requested prison terms of 22 months for Liu and 20 months for Kuo.

“If this case is treated leniently, it would greatly reduce the cost of the CCP’s transnational repression,” prosecutors warned. Liu denied the charges, while Kuo admitted carrying out the attack, according to prosecutors. Neither man has been convicted.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office described the vandalism as “an expression of public opinion” and dismissed allegations of transnational repression as “groundless,” according to CNA.

Original article
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