Ex-EPA official detained over alleged sexual assaults

Taipei, April 22 (CNA) The Taichung District Court on Tuesday ordered the detention of a former Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) official accused of sexually assaulting subordinates between 2022 and 2023.

The detention of Lee Chien-yu (李健育), the former head of the EPA Inspectorate's Inspection Team, comes after he was reported to prosecutors by police in December 2024.

In a statement, the Taichung District Prosecutors Office said it requested Lee's detention on suspicion of sexual assault and forced sexual intercourse after searching his residence and questioning him on April 17.

According to the Control Yuan, leaders at the Inspectorate were first made aware of the allegations against Lee in July 2023.

In October 2023, the agency concluded that the claims made by Lee's accusers were credible, the top government watchdog said in a report late last year.

Following his resignation in September 2023, Lee was officially dismissed from the Inspectorate -- now part of the Ministry of Environment's (MOENV) Environmental Management Administration -- in February 2024.

On Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Environment Shih Wen-chen (施文真) said the MOENV has not received any official request from prosecutors for relevant information.

Shih said that both the former Minister Shieu Fuh-sheng (薛富盛) and current Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啟明) are taking the matter seriously, in response to media questions at a green-lifestyle promotional event.

Shih added that Peng is committed to transparency and hopes to actively address the issue to provide closure and protection for those affected and create a safe working environment.