NONO Acquitted of Sexual Assault and Molestation in First Instance; Prosecutors File Appeal

(Central News Agency, reporter Xie Junlin, Taipei, 8th) Entertainer NONO (Chen Xuan-yu) was acquitted by the Shilin District Court on charges of sexual assault and molestation against two women, citing insufficient evidence. After receiving the verdict, prosecutors from the Shilin District Prosecutors Office today (8th) filed a notice of appeal in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure, with the detailed reasons to be submitted later.

The indictment stated that between 2011 and 2013, on a certain evening, NONO allegedly used his 181cm height and physique to forcibly restrain and sexually assault a woman during a massage at a high-end lifestyle club in Taipei.

Additionally, in 2011, NONO allegedly liked a video posted by another woman on Facebook and messaged her to arrange a meeting. In the afternoon of December 2011, NONO drove to pick up the woman in Taipei, where he allegedly forcibly restrained her in the car, kissed her with his tongue, and groped her chest, constituting forcible molestation.

The Shilin Prosecutors Office charged NONO with forcible sexual assault and forcible molestation under the Criminal Code, concluding the investigation in August of last year. The prosecutor noted NONO's complete denial and lack of remorse, requesting a heavy sentence from the court.

After trial, the Shilin District Court found insufficient evidence and acquitted NONO in May. The verdict stated, "While suspicion may be heavy, it is not irrefutable proof; public opinion may be loud, but it cannot replace the law. The court must adhere to the principle of presumption of innocence, not allowing a single shred of doubt to become a chain of conviction."

In response to the verdict, prosecutors from the Shilin District Prosecutors Office, after receiving the written judgment, today filed a notice of appeal under the Code of Criminal Procedure, with detailed reasons to be submitted later.

Article 361, Paragraph 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure stipulates that if an appeal document does not state the reasons for appeal, the appellant must submit a supplementary statement of reasons to the original court within 20 days after the appeal period expires.

Separately, NONO was also accused of committing seven counts of sexual assault and molestation against six other women. In the first instance, the Shilin District Court found him guilty of only one count of attempted forcible sexual assault, sentencing him to 2 years and 6 months in prison, while acquitting him of the other six counts. This verdict was upheld by the Taiwan High Court in April of this year. The High Prosecutors Office has decided not to appeal, aiming for an early finalization of the sentence. However, NONO has appealed, seeking an acquittal. (Editor: Lin Shuhui) 1150608