Chinese National Arrested 15 Minutes Before Boarding Flight to Korea After Attacking Muneo Takayama

(CNA, Taichung, July 7) A Chinese national, identified by the surname Liao, who holds a Hong Kong passport, attacked Muneo Takayama, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank, in Taichung City yesterday and fled. He was apprehended by police at Taichung Airport just 15 minutes before boarding a flight to Korea, thanks to timely action based on identifying features such as tattoos.

Police investigations revealed that Liao entered Taiwan through Taichung Airport and stayed in various hotels in Taichung, moving between two to three locations. His last accommodation was at a hotel near the scene of the crime (the Evergreen Hotel Taichung), from where he observed routes in the vicinity.

According to the special task force's initial findings, Liao had no accomplices in Taiwan to assist him. He claimed he was not acting under instructions from Chinese authorities, but police are still investigating to determine if there were any accomplices within Taiwan.

Tu Chih-hung, head of the Sixth Precinct Investigation Corps of the Taichung City Police Department, told reporters today that upon receiving the report of the incident, police immediately formed a special task force and reviewed surveillance footage. Witnesses at the scene reported the suspect had a Chinese accent, leading authorities to believe he was from overseas. They immediately notified the National Immigration Agency to identify him.

Police stated that to prevent the suspect from leaving the country immediately after the crime, officers were dispatched to Taichung Airport to await his arrival. Surveillance footage revealed the suspect had a tattoo on his right hand, among other features. This information was relayed to the National Immigration Agency, the Aviation Police Bureau of the National Police Agency, and the Taichung Sub-station of the Kaohsiung Branch, to identify and locate the suspect. The case was also reported to the Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutors Office for investigation.

Police reported that the 33-year-old Liao purchased a plane ticket to Busan, South Korea, for 4 p.m. that day while en route to the airport. The special task force located Liao in the airport's waiting lounge based on the identifying features. He was just 15 minutes away from boarding his flight when police apprehended him.

Upon being brought to the police station, Liao refused to be interrogated at night. Police took his statement this morning. Liao did not hire a lawyer and is expected to be transferred to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for further questioning this afternoon.

In addition, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stated earlier in a media interview that Taichung does not tolerate violence. She affirmed that whenever a violent incident occurs, the police will take strong action, and the suspect was arrested within 4 hours. (Editor: Li Ming-tsung) 1150707

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