Former legislator Lo Chih-ming and retired navy major general Hsia Fu-hsiang are alleged of helping China develop an espionage ring by recruiting retired military personnel to travel on hosted trips to China. They were detained over violations of the National Security Act but later, the Kaohsiung District Court set bail for Lo and Hsia at NT$200,000 and NT$150,000, respectively.
Retired Navy major general Hsia Fu-hsiang walked behind former legislator Lo Chih-ming, covering his head with a jacket.
Lo Chih-ming, Former KMT legislator: “Thank you.”
Lo and Hsia are alleged of helping China develop an espionage ring by recruiting retired military personnel to travel on hosted trips to China. The Kaohsiung Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office is carrying out searches and questioning 21 people all over suspected violations of the National Security Act. Some of the retired military officers admitted to taking hosted trips to China. Both Lo and Hsia denied building an espionage ring, but prosecutors filed a motion to have the two detained. The Kaohsiung District Court later set bail for Lo and Hsia at NT$200,000 and NT$150,000, respectively. However, Lo and Hsia were suspected of exercising special privilege by being escorted through the back door. The Kaohsiung District Court denied such treatment.
Tsai Shu-yu, Deputy Speaker, Kaohsiung District Court: “It's easier to park on Shizhong 1st Rd, so people go in and out of the door facing Shizhong 1st Rd. The main entrance is on Hedong Rd. The defendants did not exercise the special privilege to exit through the back door. It was a misunderstanding and it's not true.”
Taiwan has long been worried about high-ranked military officers gathering intelligence for China, as several military officials have been investigated throughout recent years over spying charges. Taiwan's Supreme Prosecutors Office said the government usually gets tipped off by individuals and the military should update more frequently in its investigation and security services to ensure national security.
Chang Ching, Senior researcher, Society for Strategic Studies R.O.C.: “The Executive Yuan is responsible for the National Security Act. The Cabinet was supposed to make an official announcement about the latest amendment when it got passed, but they have been quiet about it so far.”
Wang Ting-Yu, Legislator (DPP): “Selling out the interests of the country. Doing spying work for China. They should be heavily punished and ostracized.”
Although the Kaohsiung District Court decided not to detain Lo and Hsia, the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office will determine again whether to appeal the ruling.
海軍退役少將夏復翔走在前立委羅志明後頭，用外套將臉蒙住。
前國民黨立委羅志明說：「謝謝。」
兩人疑似被中國勢力吸收，接受中國旅遊招待並回國發展共諜組織，涉嫌違反《國安法》，全案21名涉案人，部分退役將領以證人身分應訊時坦承接受招待，但羅志明、夏復翔否認，遭地檢署聲押，法官訊後認定無羈押必要，裁定羅志明20萬元、夏復翔15萬元交保。離開時卻遭質疑由法警帶領走後門是耍特權，高雄地院反駁。
高雄地院副發言人蔡書瑜表示：「市中一路因為停車方便，所以人員較常從市中一路的門進出，但是大門還是在河中路，因而誤會被告是耍特權從後門離開，此部分與事實不符。」
國軍高階退役將官屢傳被中國吸收，法務部最高檢察署表示，不少舉報來源都是透過民眾自發性檢舉，未來偵防或軍方系統也應跟上時代，才能確保國家安全。
中華戰略學會資深研究員張競指出：「《國家安全法》（(總統）責成行政院，依據實際的需求，然後適時公布生效實施，但是到目前為止卻仍然沒有下文。」
民進黨立委王定宇認為：「出賣國家利益，為中共在台灣進行相關的間諜作業，這不僅應該要重罰，更應該讓人唾棄。」
雖然地院裁定兩人不用收押，但高雄地檢署表示，收到裁定理由後會再決定是否提抗告。
