Ex-assistant to KMT lawmakers released on bail in Chinese espionage case

Taipei, June 11 (CNA) The Taipei District Prosecutors Office released Lin Yueh-lung (林岳龍) on bail of NT$100,000 (US$3,342) Wednesday morning and barred him from traveling abroad over alleged involvement in a Chinese espionage case.

Lin served as assistant to several opposition Kuomintang (KMT) legislators, including Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇), Hsu Yu-chen (許宇甄) and Lin Chien-chi (林倩綺). His most recent post was as a part-time social media manager for KMT Taipei City Councilor Wang Hsin-yi (王欣儀).

Co-defendants Wang Kai-min (王凱民), former aide to KMT Keelung City Councilor Lan Min-hui (藍敏輝), and Kuo Wen-pin (郭文彬), former senior executive officer in the Presidential Office under then-President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), were released without bail.

Lin is suspected of having been recruited by Chinese authorities several years ago. Prosecutors said he allegedly received payments and provided confidential and sensitive information to the Chinese Communist Party.

The case is being investigated as a possible violation of the National Security Act.

Prosecutors added that the investigation has also implicated Wang Kai-min and Kuo in the case.

On Tuesday, prosecutors conducted raids at seven locations, including the residences of Lin Yueh-lung and offices of Wang Hsin-yi and Lan. They also summoned Lin Yueh-lung, Wang Kai-min and Kuo for questioning.

Wang Hsin-yi released a statement that night pledging full cooperation with the investigation to protect national security. The statement added that Lin Yueh-lung was hired as a part-time social media manager in January and does not work in the councilor's office.

Also on Tuesday night, Lin Yueh-lung's former legislative employers issued statements expressing support for prosecutors' lawful investigation into suspected criminal behavior.

Lin Chien-chi said that Lin Yueh-lung did not handle any secret or confidential information during his employment in her office.

(By Hsieh Hsing-en and Wu Kuan-hsien)

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