Ex-airline employee indicted over attempt to obtain MAC research for China

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) A former employee of a Taiwanese airline was indicted Monday for allegedly trying to obtain confidential Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) research for Chinese intelligence and offering an unaccepted bribe, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office said Tuesday.

According to the office, the defendant, surnamed Chiao (喬), was based in China for work between 2012 and 2014 and sought to acquire MAC-commissioned research from a council official.

Allegedly acting for Chinese intelligence, Chiao also offered a NT$100,000 (US$3,246) cash bribe "on behalf of mainland authorities" but the offer was rejected, the office said.

The prosecutors office told CNA Wednesday it had "no comment" on the airline's identity, Chiao's role, or the content of the research. It confirmed, however, that the alleged contacts and bribe took place between 2012 and 2014, and that the investigation lasted more than a year before concluding Monday with the indictment.

Local media, including the Liberty Times, United Daily News and Tai Sounds, reported that Chiao is a male manager formerly with EVA Air, and that he allegedly offered cash and overseas trips. The outlets also said the MAC research dealt with cross-strait flights or defense-related topics.

The office said the indictment followed a referral from the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) but did not specify when the case was reported or how long the investigation had been under way.

In a later reply to CNA on Wednesday, however, the office confirmed that the investigation lasted more than a year and concluded Monday, when prosecutors filed the indictment with the Taiwan High Court.

Chiao was charged under the National Security Act for attempting to "spy on and collect documents classified as confidential for official use" and to develop an organization for Chinese authorities. He also faces a bribery charge under the Anti-Corruption Act.

In a written response, the MAC said many of its commissioned studies contain sensitive information and that "our staff maintain a very high level of vigilance" against outside probing.