The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on Tuesday published criteria for pursuing cases against those suspected of breaching Taiwan’s election laws by taking “disproportionately subsidized” trips to China.
The office said in a statement that it has instructed all of its agencies to seek to prosecute individuals organizing trips paid for entirely or in part by Chinese political groups and government agencies, during which participants are encouraged to vote in a particular manner.
Those organizing or participating in such tours may not campaign on behalf of election candidates in Taiwan, including by giving speeches, holding news conferences or producing materials in support of a candidate, it said.
Photo :CNA
Those who have received instructions or aid from government or private actors in China cannot ask others to campaign on behalf of election candidates or demand that they vote in a particular way, the office said.
People caught committing such acts could face prosecution under the Anti-Infiltration Act (反滲透法), the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act (總統副總統選舉罷免法) and the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法), it added.
The office said it formulated the criteria to guard against Chinese election interference following discussions with law enforcement agencies and the Central Election Commission.
The clarification comes after prosecutors opened investigations into several borough and village wardens suspected of organizing trips to China to gather support for election candidates in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, people who release false opinion polls at the instruction of state or non-state actors from China could be jailed for up to 90 months, the office said.
As overseas intervention poses a threat to Taiwan’s democracy, prosecutors would be asked to appeal requests to detain suspects that have been denied by the courts, it said.
People who wish to report suspected acts of election interference between Dec. 11 and Jan. 19 should call 0800-024-099 and select extension 4, the office said.
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