Retired Taiwanese general sentenced to 7.5 years for China plot

Taipei, Oct. 23 (CNA) The Taiwan High Court on Thursday sentenced retired Army Lt. Gen. Kao An-kuo (高安國) to seven years and six months in prison for attempting to form a China-backed organization in Taiwan in violation of the National Security Act.

Kao's girlfriend, surnamed Liu (劉), also received a six-year-and-six-month sentence in the same case, according to the court.

The pair worked together for financial gain to initiate an organization for China including plans to launch attacks on Taiwanese government institutions and establish an interim regime pending annexation by China, the court said.

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According to the ruling, Kao drafted plans for the organization in 2020 and named himself chief convener, while also drafting a separate plan which outlined combat concepts and sought to recruit active and retired military personnel.

Beginning Feb. 25, 2023, Kao and Liu traveled multiple times to China to meet Chinese party, government and military personnel, receive instructions and financial assistance, and began efforts to launch the organization through seminars and outreach to military personnel, according to the court.

The pair produced videos opposing the Taiwanese government and organized anti-government activities in line with China's position toward Taiwan in hopes of securing continued funding from Chinese individuals, it said.

However, their attempt to launch the organization ultimately failed because none of the active or retired military personnel they contacted agreed to participate, the ruling said.

The court ordered the confiscation of US$92,200 and 294,700 Chinese yuan in criminal proceeds from Kao and Liu.

Four other defendants -- Hou (侯), Chang (張), Chen (陳) and Chiu (邱) -- received prison terms ranging from two years and six months to six years for their activities relating to the organization.

The ruling said Chang, Chen and Chiu acted with Hou to contact active military personnel to develop an organization but their efforts failed after receiving no responses from those they approached.

The four also received criminal proceeds: Hou received NT$2,496,700 and 76,920 Chinese yuan, Chang received NT$50,000 and 256,000 Chinese yuan, Chen received NT$387,561, US$1,000 and 32,000 Chinese yuan, and Chiu received 20,000 Chinese yuan, the court said.

Kao, Liu and Chang denied the charges during the trial, according to the Taiwan High Court.

Court spokesperson Wen Chia-chien (文家倩) said the collegiate bench found that all six defendants knew China was a hostile foreign force seeking to undermine Taiwan through military threats, intelligence infiltration and united front operations.

The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office said it would decide whether to file an appeal after receiving the full judgment.