The former commander of the Taichung Criminal Investigation Corps Lin Ming-zuo (林明佐), who is accused of accepting bribes from criminal groups to provide assistance including leaking information, was released on NT$12 million (US$363,699) bail today.
Lin is accused of leaking confidential information related to a gambling and money laundering case involving a gambling group based on the Japanese island of Kyushu.
On Tuesday, the Taichung District Court ruled that Lin could be released on bail if he posted the NT$12 million by 4pm today, although he is barred from overseas travel for the next eight months and cannot contact co-defendants or witnesses in the case.
Photo: Chang Jui-chen, Taipei Times
If he failed to post bail by today, Lin would have been detained for another two months.
After 322 days in custody and two days of family members fundraising on his behalf, Lin was released at 10am today.
He was seen on a stretcher, wearing a hat and a mask, with medical supplies like diapers, before a van transported him away.
He did not respond to questions from reporters regarding his medical condition or the accusations prosecutors have brought against him.
The reported leader of the Kyushu gambling set, Chen Cheng-ku (陳政谷) who was also detained during the investigation, posted NT$200 million bail on Tuesday and was seen walking out of the detention facility.
The Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office filed an appeal to the Taichung District Court arguing that both men are flight risks and there is no ability to monitor their movements through electronic anklets.
Prosecutors allege that Lin accepted support from Chen and his group, taking in more than NT$44.5 million in illegal bribes.
Lin acted as an informant for the group, leaking law enforcement operations, but also acted as an advisor to Chen by helping him strategize how to deal with police and investigators, prosecutors allege.
Prosecutors charged Lin with crimes including accepting bribes, contravening his official duties, helping criminal organizations, gambling, leaking confidential information and money laundering.
Lin was detained on May 3 last year but repeatedly requested permission at the end of the year to be released for medical treatment.
The Taichung District Court rejected his earlier request for leave but did allow him to receive outside medical treatment under police escort.
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