Man indicted over rape of drunk woman in public at Taipei station

Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) The Taipei District Prosecutors Office on Tuesday indicted a man for sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman in the main hall of Taipei Main Station on Oct. 9.

The man, identified by the surname Chiu (邱), was arrested on the afternoon of Oct. 9, after police received a report that he had dragged a seemingly intoxicated woman to a wall in the station's main hall and was raping her, according to the Railway Police Bureau.

Following his arrest at the station, Chiu was found to be a fugitive wanted for two counts of theft, police said.

During questioning by police, Chiu initially confessed to raping the woman but later changed his account during the investigation and showed no remorse, prosecutors said.

He was indicted on rape charges, prosecutors said, adding that they are seeking a seven-year prison sentence for him, which would also serve as a warning to others.

According to a statement issued Tuesday by prosecutors, Chiu had been drinking and chatting with the woman and several homeless people on the east side of the station hall on the afternoon of Oct. 9.

At around 3:22 p.m., after the homeless people left, the woman collapsed on the floor, apparently passing out drunk, prosecutors said. Chiu then allegedly dragged her to a wall and engaged in sexual intercourse with her, according to the statement.

Railway police rushed to the scene and arrested Chiu at about 3:37 p.m. after receiving the report of an apparent sexual assault, prosecutors said.

The indictment against Chiu includes charges of public indecency and taking advantage of an unconscious person, prosecutors said.

According to non-official sources, the woman was a visitor to Taiwan.