Hsinchu prosecutors seek detention of 5 suspects over death of minor

Taipei, Aug. 22 (CNA) The Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office said Friday that it has filed a motion to detain five suspects over the death of a 17-year-old boy surnamed Tseng (曾), while four others involved in the case have been referred to a juvenile court.

Filed with the Hsinchu District Court on Thursday, the motion asked the court to detain and hold incommunicado the five individuals, including a man surnamed Hsieh (謝), due to concerns they could collude with others or destroy evidence, the office said in a statement.

According to the Hsinchu County Police Bureau, the case stemmed from a NT$25,000 (US$818) debt Tseng allegedly owed Hsieh. On Aug. 17, Hsieh and eight other accomplices abducted Tseng in Zhudong Township and drove him to Jianshih Township where they later beat him to death.

His body was found on Wednesday dumped in a mountainous area in Yilan County's Toucheng Township, prosecutors said.

Hsieh and the others involved were subsequently arrested and questioned on charges that included kidnapping for ransom resulting in death.

As four of them are still minors, the four were referred to the Hsinchu District Court's juvenile division, in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act, prosecutors said.

The detention request is still being heard by the Hsinchu court.