Election banner stolen by French man for artistic creation, Taipei police quickly solve case

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Li-wen, Taipei, June 24) A campaign banner for Taipei City Councilor Chung Pei-chun was vandalized during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The police investigated and found that a 30-year-old French national staying at a hotel in New Taipei City was the prime suspect. He claimed he wanted to take it back for artistic creation due to its perceived artistic value. The case has been sent to the prosecutor's office for legal proceedings.

The Anhe Road Police Station of the Daan Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department received a report at around 2 p.m. on June 19, stating that a campaign banner in the Xinyi Road Section 4 area had been vandalized. A special task force was immediately formed to investigate.

After analyzing surveillance footage, it was determined that the incident occurred around 4:40 a.m. on June 19. The investigation quickly identified a foreign national as the perpetrator. Upon discovering that he was staying at a hotel in Banqiao District, New Taipei City, he was apprehended around 11 p.m. on June 19. The case has been forwarded to the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office for investigation on charges of property damage.

KMT City Councilor Chung Pei-chun also stated in a press release that during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, her assistant notified her that the banner, which had only been hung for less than a month, had her face completely cut out. After reporting the incident to the police, the suspect, a French national who claimed to be an artist, was quickly apprehended through surveillance footage. He stated that he found the campaign banner to have "artistic value and wanted to take it back as material for creation," which left her speechless.

Chung Pei-chun said that the French man admitted to the crime and was willing to compensate NT$12,000 for the production and installation costs. "However, his only request was to take the face," she said, adding with a laugh that after every election, she would give away her banners to people in need. Her face had covered fields, sheltered from leaks, and blocked wind and rain. "It is my honor to be reused, but please promise me, wait until I am successfully re-elected first," she said, and the two parties eventually reached a settlement.

The Daan Precinct urges the public not to engage in graffiti or vandalism of external walls, banners, etc., under the guise of creation or art. Violators will face criminal charges for property damage, punishable by imprisonment for up to 2 years, detention, or a fine of up to NT$15,000. The police will not tolerate such cases and will strictly investigate and proactively pursue them. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150624

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