Chinese national attacks Yoichi Shimada, suspected of accomplices, sent to prosecutor for detention under anti-infiltration law

Hong Kong resident Mr. Liao, born in China, fled after attacking Yoichi Shimada, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank, in Taichung yesterday. The police apprehended him at Taichung Airport in time. He was sent for prosecution today on charges including the Anti-Infiltration Act. After interrogation, the prosecutor determined there were suspected accomplices and requested detention and prohibition of communication with the court.

Minister of the Interior Chiu-Fang Liu visited Taichung International Airport this afternoon to commend meritorious personnel. Liu also condemned violence. Wu Jing-tien, Director of the Taichung City Police Bureau, told reporters during a media briefing that the suspect, Mr. Liao, had visited Taiwan in January this year under the guise of tourism and stayed for over a month before departing. He returned to Taiwan on the 2nd of this month, also under the guise of tourism.

Police investigation revealed that Mr. Liao had contacted specific individuals during his stay in Taiwan. However, these individuals had already left the country before the incident. The police are continuously reviewing communication records and other evidence to investigate whether there were other accomplices and to determine the motive for the crime.

On the 6th, after attending a camp activity organized by the Spring Rain Cultural and Educational Foundation in Taichung, Yoichi Shimada was punched in the face and attacked by a 33-year-old man, Mr. Liao, who then fled. The police, aware that Mr. Liao intended to leave the country after the crime, rushed to Taichung Airport and apprehended him as he was attempting to disguise himself.

Police investigation found that Mr. Liao entered Taiwan via Taichung Airport with a Hong Kong passport and stayed in hotels within Taichung City. He moved between two to three different locations during his stay. His last lodging was in a hotel opposite the crime scene, from where he observed the route nearby.

After being transferred to the police station, Mr. Liao refused to be interrogated at night. This morning, the police took his statement. He did not hire a lawyer. After the police interrogation, Mr. Liao was transferred to the Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutors Office for further questioning on suspicion of violating the Anti-Infiltration Act, public insult, and assault under the Criminal Code. When the police escorted him out of the police station, media reporters asked him questions such as "Who instructed you?" and "What was your motive?" He remained silent.

The Taichung District Prosecutors Office issued a press release today stating that it immediately assigned a case and appointed a prosecutor to form a special task force to direct the police investigation. After identifying the suspect, Mr. Liao, a Hong Kong resident, and his whereabouts, he was apprehended at the airport.

The prosecutor's office pointed out that during the investigation, it also closely collaborated with the "Cross-Agency Coordination Platform for Cross-Border Suppression of Foreign Interference and Infiltration" promoted by the Executive Yuan in response to the CCP's external interference and infiltration against Taiwan. Through inter-ministerial intelligence integration and regulatory coordination, it ensured that the investigation procedures were carried out swiftly and effectively.

The prosecutor's office stated that after Mr. Liao was transferred to the district prosecutor's office for interrogation, and considering the evidence such as the defendant's statement, witness testimonies, seized items, and surveillance footage from the scene, it was determined that Mr. Liao is a major suspect in committing crimes such as assault under the Criminal Code. Considering that Mr. Liao is a foreign national, has no fixed residence in Taiwan, and immediately went to the airport to prepare for departure after the incident, and there is a high possibility of him destroying evidence of his crime and colluding with accomplices or masterminds, as well as the risk of repeated commission of assault offenses, the office requested the Taiwan Taichung District Court to order his detention and prohibition of communication. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150707

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