Man indicted for attempted murder in stabbing of ex-Fu Jen president

New Taipei, Nov. 19 (CNA) The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office on Wednesday indicted a 29-year-old man surnamed Tseng (曾) on charges of attempted murder after he stabbed physician and former Fu Jen Catholic University president Chiang Han-sun (江漢聲) while the latter was seeing patients earlier this month.

The attack occurred on Nov. 11 at Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital in New Taipei.

According to police and prosecutors, Chiang, a urologist, was seeing patients around 2 p.m. when Tseng, posing as a registered patient, entered the consultation room and attacked him from behind with a utility knife while Chiang was washing his hands.

Chiang suffered a 6-centimeter laceration on his right wrist and injuries to his left hand and abdomen. He managed to escape the room as Tseng continued swinging the knife and even threw it at him. Hospital security quickly restrained the suspect.

Chiang's injuries were not life-threatening and medical staff provided immediate care.

Prosecutors said Wednesday that Tseng used considerable force -- enough to slice through Chiang's lab coat -- indicating clear intent to kill.

Investigators found that Tseng had drafted a Facebook post in late October claiming he had "no intent to kill Chiang," and scheduled it to be published after the Nov. 11 attack, which prosecutors said was an attempt to evade responsibility.

Tseng was charged with attempted murder and obstructing medical personnel under the Medical Care Act, with prosecutors seeking a seven-year prison sentence.

Prosecutors also said that Tseng reportedly targeted Chiang over dissatisfaction with a separate legal case in which Chiang was acquitted in August of misusing university funds.

Tseng bypassed lawful channels and resorted to violence, showing disregard for the court's ruling, prosecutors said.

The indictment emphasized that the attack, carried out in a medical setting where patients are normally unguarded, not only traumatized the victim but also undermined trust in medical professionals and public order, prosecutors added.

Chiang and others had previously faced accusations of misusing university funds through falsified activity expenses.

While Chiang was convicted of breach of trust in a lower court ruling last January, the Taiwan High Court overturned the verdict on Aug. 21, citing insufficient evidence of financial loss to the university.