The Shilin District Court yesterday approved a request by Taipei prosecutors to detain and hold incommunicado a Chinese national who recently entered Taiwan illegally after driving a speedboat from China to the Tamsui River mouth.
The suspect, identified as a 60-year-old man surnamed Ruan (阮), was ordered detained due to the risk that he could destroy evidence or try to flee from authorities as he is in Taiwan illegally and has no domicile in the country, the court said in a statement.
Ruan is being investigated on suspicion of violating the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) and the Immigration Act (入出國及移民法) after he drove a 9-meter-long speedboat into a harbor near the mouth of the Tamsui River (淡水河) in New Taipei City on June 9.
Photo couresy of the Coast Guard Administration via CNA
After his arrest by Taiwan Coast Guard personnel, the suspect claimed he was trying to defect to Taiwan from China.
An unnamed source familiar with the incident told local media that Ruan has claimed he wants to defect because he had made some anti-Chinese government comments on online messaging apps.
Following questioning by Shilin District Prosecutors Office, a request was filed yesterday morning to detain Ruan and hold him incommunicado due to the severity of the case involving national security.
Prosecutors are continuing with their investigation to clarify the details relating to Ruan’s illegal entry, the Shilin court said, indicating detention is necessary.
The incident has drawn attention from media and military experts because the Tamsui River is considered a critical strategic location and serves as the gateway to Taipei, the nation’s political, economic and cultural capital, where the Presidential Office and other important government institutions are situated.
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