Prosecutors seek detention of 5 staffers at DPP lawmaker's offices

Taipei, April 12 (CNA) Kaohsiung prosecutors have requested court approval to detain five people working for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Dai-hua (林岱樺), as a probe into two cases allegedly involving her continues.

The detention request was made Friday after prosecutors raided Lin's two offices and the staffers' residences and questioned them on suspicion of violating the Anti-Corruption Act.

The five individuals include the directors of Lin's offices in the Linyuan and Daliao districts, surnamed Chou (周) and Lin (林), respectively, as well as three other staffers.

The prosecutors' move came after they interrogated Lin Dai-hua on Wednesday. The DPP lawmaker appeared solemn following the inquiry session, though she was allowed to return home.

Lin, who has announced her intention to run in the DPP's primary election for the Kaohsiung mayoral race, is under investigation on suspicion of filing fraudulent claims for assistants' salaries.

On Feb. 21, she was released on NT$1 million (US$30,943) bail by the Taiwan Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office. She has been barred from leaving the country or traveling by boat and is required to reside either at her current residence or another court-designated location.

Four other individuals allegedly complicit in the case are currently detained and held incommunicado. They include Lin's younger brother and his wife, an accountant surnamed Huang (黃), and a leader of a local temple identified as Shih Huang-chih (釋煌智).

Prosecutors will decide whether to seek an extension of their detention as the current term is set to expire soon.

In addition, Lin is also being investigated for abuse of power over alleged involvement in activities that constitute a conflict of interest related to her role as a public servant.