Taiwan denounces citizen who wore Nazi symbols in political stunt

Taipei, April 16 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday denounced a political activist for wearing a Nazi armband and giving a Nazi salute in public, saying that Nazi-related symbols and flags are "detested" in Taiwan.

"Nazi-related symbols and flags are detested and spurned by most countries, including Taiwan," MOFA said in a statement, noting that Nazi ideology and actions led to the "historical tragedies of mass murder and genocide."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns this extremely inappropriate way of expressing personal opinions," the statement said.

The ministry issued the statement after the political activist arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office for questioning on Tuesday evening dressed in Nazi attire, sparking a media frenzy.

Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of a Kuomintang-backed campaign to recall a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker, was wearing a Nazi armband and carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf when he repeatedly gave a Nazi salute in front of reporters outside the prosecutors' office on Tuesday.

The man, who is suspected of involvement in signature fraud relating to a recall vote campaign against DPP lawmaker Lee Kuen-cheng (李坤城), did not say why he was dressed up as a German National Socialist.

Prosecutors said Sung was released on NT$80,000 (US$2,463) bail over alleged recall vote campaign irregularities, when he was seen leaving the building without the armband and concealing the book under his jacket early Wednesday.

In its statement, MOFA noted that although Taiwan is a free, democratic country with the rule of law and constitutionally protected freedom of expression, Taiwanese people should understand the "historical pain represented by Nazi symbols and gestures."

MOFA said it "sincerely hopes that the people of our country will work together with the government to demonstrate empathy for different cultures, religions and ethnic groups around the world, and jointly achieve a better and more inclusive future."

Meanwhile, the German Institute Taipei wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that it "condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms" and expressed its gratitude for "the support we have received from Taiwanese society."

Later the same day, Maya Yaron, head of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, said in a statement condemning the man's actions that the Nazi symbols "represent hate, racism, and extreme violence."

"I would like to thank MOFA for taking a clear stand on this incident earlier today," the Israeli representative said, adding that "the wave of support" from the Taiwanese public was "a powerful reminder of the moral clarity of Taiwanese people."