9 detained after 17-year-old boy beaten to death in Hsinchu

Taipei, Aug. 22 (CNA) The Hsinchu District Court on Friday ordered the detention of nine people, including four under the age of 18, after a 17-year-old boy was beaten to death in Hsinchu.

According to the Hsinchu County Police Bureau, the case stemmed from a NT$25,000 (US$818) car repair debt that the deceased, surnamed Tseng (曾), allegedly owed to a man surnamed Hsieh (謝).

Hsieh and eight accomplices stand accused of abducting Tseng in Zhudong Township on Aug. 17 and driving him to Jianshih Township, where they later beat him to death.

● Hsinchu prosecutors seek detention of 5 suspects over death of minor

The Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office filed a motion on Thursday to detain the five adult suspects, including Hsieh, due to concerns they could collude with others or destroy evidence.

In addition, four minors referred to the court's juvenile division in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act were sent to detention centers on Friday.

Tseng's body was found on Thursday in a mountainous area in Yilan County's Toucheng Township, prosecutors said.

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