A prosecutor investigating embezzlement accusations surrounding Colonel Liu Kuan-chun (
But the reporter who published the documents -- transcripts of three interviews with National Security Bureau officials -- said the airing of the secret files was not to blame.
The China Times Express on Saturday partially published transcripts of interviews with three National Security Bureau officials implicated in the Liu case.
On Tuesday, prosecutors raided the newspaper's newsroom -- sparking widespread criticism that the investigators were trampling on press freedom.
Taipei district prosecutor Hsueh Wei-ping (
"An atmosphere of distrust has grown within the group," Hsueh said. "Because it's unknown who leaked the secret interrogation transcripts to the press, group members have been suspicious of one another."
Civil and military prosecutors, along with the justice ministry's investigation bureau, are jointly probing the embezzlement case. These officials are, in normal circumstances, believed to be the only persons having access to the interrogation records.
"Now we ourselves are under investigation and subject to questioning," Hsueh complained.
The security breach has been established as a separate criminal case and is being pursued by another group of Taipei district prosecutors.
Hsueh said the investigation into the leak as slowed down the investigation into Liu.
But Wang Yin-fang (
"A journalist shall report what is needed to be reported," Wang said. "Prosecutors should not shift responsibility to the press for the slow progress of their investigation."
Hsueh said he did not know the source of the information leak, but speculated the act was carried out deliberately. "The purpose was to alienate members on the investigative team and hinder the investigation," he said. "And they succeeded."
DPP Legislator Chang Ching-fang (
Chang said that the partially published interrogation records was unfavorable to certain high-ranking National Security Bureau figures.
Also, Chang said, if the source of the secret leak could be found, so could accomplices in the embezzlement case.
Chang postulated that certain forces within the security bureau were trying to disrupt the Liu investigation.
Liu Kuan-chun, the former chief cashier at the agency charged with embezzlement, remains missing. Military prosecutors issued an order for his arrest last Thursday.
While military prosecutor Lee Jung-yuna (
Chang called on the Presidential Office to set up a higher-level special investigation task force to focus on the case, as has been done in the Yin Ching-feng (
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old