4 detained over death at Taipei spiritual healing center

Taipei, Oct. 5 (CNA) The Taipei District Court has ordered the detention of four people linked to a spiritual healing center following the death of a 30-year-old man who was found unresponsive at the facility last week.

The four have been barred from contact with others during the investigation.

The court approved the detention of Wang Yu-chieh (王禹婕), founder of the ASL International Body-Mind-Spirit Healing Academy, along with her brother and operations director Wang Shao-cheng (王劭丞), chief executive officer Wu Tsung-ju (吳宗儒), and healer-consultant Lin Cheng-yi (林承毅), on suspicion of unlawful confinement and fatal abuse, on Friday and Saturday.

Police said the deceased, surnamed Lin (林), was found without vital signs late on Sept. 29 at the academy in Taipei's Zhongshan District and was pronounced dead early the next day.

Prosecutors found bruises on his face and body and noted he was severely emaciated, leading to suspicions that he had been abused before his death.

According to local media, Lin had lived at the center for about five years and was reportedly subjected to strict dietary restrictions and pressured to recruit new participants.

When a potential recruit declined to join, the leadership allegedly held a "criticism meeting" where Lin was beaten and denied food.

The four were detained after police reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence, but they denied the assault, claiming Lin's injuries were caused by "full-body prostration" and "slapping therapy," which they said were part of the center's "healing practices."

Founded in 2015, the organization promoted courses such as "chakra diagnosis" and "energy worship," with annual fees reportedly reaching NT$200,000 (US$6,580), local media reported.

The academy has previously appeared in promotional features portraying it as an "international holistic institute," though much of the coverage was reportedly paid advertising.