Released on NT$1 Million Bail for Gun Case; Court States Sun An-tso Only Admitted to Possessing Imitation Firearms

(CNA Taipei, June 29) Sun An-tso, who is involved in a firearms case, was indicted by the Shilin District Prosecutors Office today. The Shilin District Court ruled to release him on NT$1 million bail. The court stated that Sun An-tso only admitted to the offense of possessing imitation firearms, denying the other charges. Sun An-tso's father, Sun Peng, came to the court to handle the bail procedures and did not respond to media inquiries.

Sun An-tso (whose name was changed to Sun Chien-hao), the son of celebrities Sun Peng and Di Ying, is suspected of illegally manufacturing a flamethrower and testing its firepower in public seven times, uploading videos to social media, and possessing an unlicensed shotgun, air rifle, and imitation firearms. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office today indicted Sun An-tso on charges including firearms offenses and public intimidation, and transferred the case to the court. The Shilin District Court ruled to release Sun An-tso on NT$1 million bail, with restrictions on his residence, departure from the country, and departure from territorial waters.

The court pointed out that regarding the facts of the crime stated in the indictment, Sun An-tso only admitted to the offense of possessing imitation firearms without a permit, and denied the other charges. However, the case involves testimony from co-defendants and witnesses, as well as an inspection report from the prosecutor's office, a firearms appraisal report, and LINE chat records between co-defendants, which are sufficient to establish that Sun An-tso is heavily suspected of committing the crimes listed in the indictment.

The court stated that the prosecutor's investigation into this case is complete, all relevant witnesses have testified under oath, and the firearms used and possessed by the defendant have been seized, making it unlikely that there is a risk of evidence tampering or collusion with witnesses.

However, during Sun An-tso's studies in the United States, he was convicted and sentenced by the US authorities for illegally possessing firearm parts and ammunition. Although the same facts were ruled as not subject to public prosecution by a Taiwanese court, Sun still purchased the firearms involved in this case online in 2018 and 2019, indicating a risk of repeated commission of offenses under Article 8 of the Controlling Guns, Ammunition, and Knives Act.

The court pointed out that given the number of firearms Sun possessed and the other charges and counts, if he is convicted of all charges in the future, the anticipated sentence would not be light. Considering human nature's aversion to punishment, there is a possibility that Sun may attempt to evade punishment and flee.

The court stated that while there are grounds for detention, Sun has been detained for a considerable period and should have learned his lesson. After weighing the effective exercise of the state's criminal justice power, the maintenance of social order and public interest, as well as Sun's family situation, status, economic capacity, his involvement in the criminal acts, and the harm caused, the court believes that if Sun can provide a certain amount of bail for the subsequent trial and execution procedures, there is no need for continued detention.

Therefore, the court granted Sun An-tso's release on NT$1 million bail, exempting him from further detention, and imposed restrictions on his residence, departure from the country, and departure from territorial waters. Sun was also ordered not to contact co-defendants or witnesses during the trial period of this case. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150629

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