Former Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kun-chi was previously handed an eight-month sentence for insider trading. He began serving the sentence on Sept. 25. His wife and supporters sent him off at the Hualien District Prosecutor's Office, while many yelled out aloud, saying this is an act of political persecution.


Former Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kun-chi clasped his wife Hsu Chen-wei's hand as they arrived at the Hualien District Prosecutors Office at 10 a.m. on Sept. 25. Their vehicle stopped 200 meters outside of the gate, and Fu exited the car to shake his supporters' hands as he walked the remaining distance.

I wasn't able to serve these last three months in office. I bow down deeply to all my fellow countrymen and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you. (Let's go, Fu Kun-chi!)

In 2005, Fu was charged with insider trading in a case dating to 2003, when he was a legislator. The case dragged on for the next 13 years, and finally earlier this month the Supreme Court ruled that he must serve his eight-month sentence. Based on his household registration, Fu will be imprisoned at Hualien Prison. His supporters wanted to give him a rousing sendoff, while his wife could not contain her tears.

Hualien will not be toppled. We will continue with Hualien's happiness, continue with Hualien's construction, continue to honor the elderly as if they were our own parents and care for other's children as if they were our own.

The Supreme Court issued the ruling less than three months before local elections, casting a political shadow over the sentence. Fu's supporters say he is a victim of political persecution.

Generally speaking, sentences of less than one year are suspended. In other words, they can be commuted to a fine. Why wasn't his (Fu Kun-chi) sentence suspended?

Fu walked the 200 meters into the district prosecutors' office, and said goodbye to his wife outside the bailiff's office. The pair embraced, and Fu told his wife to be strong. Inside the office, his identity was confirmed and he boarded a prisoner transport vehicle headed for Hualien Prison to start his sentence.