Former Hong Kong District Councilor: Man who attacked Itaiyo Akio previously sentenced for drug trafficking in Hong Kong

TAIPEI (CNA) - Itaiyo Akio, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank, was attacked by a Chinese national surnamed Liao yesterday. Lee Man-ho, a former Hong Kong District Councilor who has since moved to Taiwan, told CNA that according to information he has obtained, the man who attacked Itaiyo Akio is named "Liao Kong-fat" and was previously sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison in Hong Kong in 2016 for trafficking dangerous drugs.

According to a judgment document dated May 27, 2016, from the Hong Kong Judiciary website, a man named "Liao Kong-fat" pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking ketamine (commonly known as "K-drug") and was convicted and sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison. At that time, he was also serving a one-year sentence for another offense of mob assault.

Furthermore, Liao Kong-fat was previously sent to a rehabilitation center in December 2010 for assault. The judgment document indicated that Liao Kong-fat was 22 years old at the time and had completed junior secondary education.

Lee Man-ho told CNA that according to information he has obtained, the man who attacked Itaiyo Akio is named Liao Kong-fat, and he is the same person mentioned in the aforementioned judgment document.

However, judicial and police authorities have not yet confirmed whether the "Liao Kong-fat" mentioned in the above case is the same person as the man surnamed Liao suspected of attacking Itaiyo Akio yesterday. Related information still awaits comparison and confirmation by judicial and police authorities.

Itaiyo Akio was invited to be a guest lecturer at a camp organized by the Chun Yu Foundation in Taichung City on the 6th. As he was leaving the hotel at noon, he was followed and punched in the face by an unknown assailant. After being sent to the hospital by staff, he immediately went to the police to report the incident. That afternoon, Taichung police intercepted and arrested the suspect, a Chinese national surnamed Liao, at Taichung International Airport as he was attempting to board a flight to leave the country.

Itaiyo Akio later posted on Facebook stating that he will not retreat or yield in the face of any form of violence or intimidation. He will continue to speak out for Taiwan's freedom and democracy with a rational and firm attitude, and promote Taiwan-Japan friendship as always. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150707

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