Newly appointed representative to Singapore Antonio Chiang (江春男) yesterday had his indictment over drunk driving “suspended” for a year, possibly paving the way for him to assume his new post.
However, he was fined NT$60,000.
Chiang, a former editor-in-chief of the Taipei Times, was scheduled to go to Singapore on Saturday last week, but had to cancel his reservation to await a decision by the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office on his case. His case was referred to prosecutors a day after he was sworn in as envoy to the Southeast Asian city-state.
Photo: CNA
The suspended prosecution means that the former National Security Council deputy secretary-general will not be indicted if he is not found guilty of breaking the law in the next 12 months.
Chiang demonstrated remorse by admitting to his offense after the fact, which did not cause any injuries, the prosecutors’ office said.
The prosecutors’ office also said that it took the office six working days to process Chiang’s case, which means there is little difference in the way the office has handled his case and other cases of drunk driving.
The Presidential Office, which has come under pressure from a civic group against drunk driving and some lawmakers to replace Chiang, did not comment on the prosecutors’ decision.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Eleanor Wang (王珮玲) said that while the prosecutors’ office has made a preliminary decision on the drunk-driving case implicating Chiang, there are still other legal procedures awaiting the former journalist.
“Chiang will not report for duty before all relevant legal processes are completed,” Wang said, adding that the ministry does not have a timetable for Chiang’s assumption of his post.
Chiang, 72, has apologized for the incident and said he has engaged in self-reflection since his detention.
He was stopped by Taipei police on Binjiang Street in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday last week and given a Breathalyzer test, which showed a blood alcohol content of 0.27 milligrams per liter (mg/L), about double the legal limit of 0.15 mg/L.
Chiang was detained and referred to the prosecutors’ office for possible indictment on charges of causing a hazard to public safety.
Additional reporting by Stacy Hsu
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