Cross-strait consensus reached on telecoms fraud case

2016/04/25

Taiwan and mainland China reached consensus April 21 on jointly investigating Republic of China (Taiwan) nationals suspected of telecoms fraud in Kenya and Malaysia, as well as establishing procedures for handling any future cross-border criminal cases, according to the Ministry of Justice.

“The two sides have agreed to work together on investigating and collecting evidence in relation to the Kenya and Malaysia cases,” the MOJ said in an April 21 statement. “In addition, the well-being of our detained nationals involved in the Kenya case has been confirmed, and visits by family members will be arranged.”

A 10-member delegation of Taiwan officials arrived in Beijing April 20 to visit the 45 detainees forcibly deported from Kenya to mainland China by the Kenyan police earlier this month, and launch negotiations with their mainland Chinese counterparts. Headed by Chen Wen-chi, director-general of the Department of International and Cross-Strait Legal Affairs under the MOJ, the group comprises officials from the MOJ, the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the Mainland Affairs Council and the Straits Exchange Foundation.

A further 32 ROC nationals are detained in Malaysia as part of a telecoms fraud investigation. Beijing is said to be urging their deportation to mainland China after the return of 20 other suspects to Taiwan last week.

Chen said Taiwan and mainland China have together notched up numerous achievements since the Cross-Strait Joint Crime-Fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement came into force seven years ago. “These are invaluable and we should continue adhering to the agreement pertaining to any future suspected criminal cases.”

According to the MOJ, the two sides also agreed to set up measures for stepping up cooperation on fighting cross-border crime, enhancing victim protections and realizing social justice.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=244060&ctNode=2194&mp=9)