Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang: Relevant evidence sent to national security agencies regarding attack on Yaita Antonio

Taipei, July 7 (CNA) Liao, a Chinese national, was arrested for attacking Yaita Antonio. Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang visited Taichung Airport this afternoon to commend the personnel involved. Liu condemned the violence and stated that foreign criminals will not be allowed to commit crimes in Taiwan. Police said Liao had entered Taiwan in January and stayed for one month.

Liao, a Chinese national holding a Hong Kong passport, attacked Yaita Antonio, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank, in Taichung City yesterday and fled. He then rushed to Taichung Airport to fly to South Korea, but was apprehended by police based on tattoos and other features just 15 minutes before boarding, and was sent for prosecution.

Liu Shih-fang visited Taichung Ching Chuan Kang International Airport this afternoon to commend the Taichung City Police Bureau, the Immigration Agency's National Border Affairs Corps Taichung Branch, and the Aviation Police Bureau's Kaohsiung Branch Taichung Precinct for their timely apprehension of Liao before his departure. She presented慰問金 (consolation money) and affirmed the units' efforts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Liu Shih-fang thanked the Taichung City Police Bureau for contacting the Immigration Agency and Aviation Police Bureau through their platforms in a short period of time to apprehend Liao before his departure. The Ministry of the Interior condemns violence and will not tolerate foreign criminals committing crimes in Taiwan. Taiwan is a democratic and law-abiding country, and anyone who commits a crime will be brought to justice.

Liu Shih-fang pointed out that the Ministry of the Interior will submit relevant information and evidence to national security agencies for reference to determine if Liao's actions involve national security. She also condemned any collaborators in Taiwan. Similar cases have occurred in Taiwan before, where many believed the injuries were minor or the acts of violence were small, but they concealed potential cross-border suppression or organized transnational crime. She also urged the public to be vigilant and report any individuals with different accents and unusual behavior to the police.

Liu Shih-fang stated that the Taichung City Police Bureau, the Immigration Agency, and the Aviation Police Bureau are determined to combat crime and are willing to cooperate across departments to bring criminals to justice. She reiterated that violent crime will not be tolerated in Taiwan.

Wu Ching-tien, Director of the Taichung City Police Bureau, told reporters that Liao had entered Taiwan in mid-January this year and stayed for more than a month before leaving, with no criminal record. This was his second entry into Taiwan. Police discovered that someone had contacted Liao, but the specific individual had already left Taiwan before Liao committed the crime. Police will review call records and other data to investigate if others were involved and the motive behind the crime. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150707

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