Former DPP lawmaker questioned in shipping company bribery probe

Taipei, June 3 (CNA) Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Chen Ou-po (陳歐珀) was questioned Tuesday over alleged bribery involving a logistics company, according to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

Chen, who served in Taiwan's national legislature from 2012 to 2020, is suspected of accepting improper benefits or bribes from United Logistics International Co. (ULIC), a Taiwanese firm based in the northern city of Keelung, during his second term of office from 2016 to 2020, prosecutors said.

Chen allegedly attempted to assist the company by holding meetings and conducting legislative interpellations to support favorable legal amendments, potentially violating Taiwan's Anti-Corruption Act.

The case stems from a 2018 incident in which a cargo ship struck ULIC's containers and equipment at the Port of Keelung, causing major damage.

At the time, Taiwan's Commercial Port Law did not cover private logistics firms, prompting ULIC to seek help from the lawmaker, according to investigators.

On Tuesday, prosecutors directed the Agency Against Corruption (AAC) to carry out 14 raids at locations linked to Chen and others with connections to the alleged wrongdoing, including residences and company offices.

Ten individuals -- including Chen, his assistant, and his friends and relatives -- have been or are expected to be brought in for questioning in relation to the case, prosecutors said.