Detention sought for former green energy official in corruption case

Taipei, Aug. 26 (CNA) Taipei prosecutors sought to detain and hold incommunicado three people on Tuesday, including a former green energy official, on suspicion of corruption, while releasing several others on bail after questioning.

The official, Cheng Yi-lin (鄭亦麟), is suspected of having accepted bribes from two private companies during his time as deputy executive director of the Green Energy Industry Promotion Center (GEIPC), according to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

The GEIPC, established by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, is responsible for supporting the government's green energy initiatives, including planning and managing resource allocation, policies, and legislation.

Cheng allegedly used bank accounts held under the names of relatives and friends to accept bribes from Tungwei Construction and HD Renewable Energy (HDRE) under the guise of "consulting fees," prosecutors said.

Without providing more details about the case, prosecutors said he is also accused of pressuring Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) to grant favors, and is currently being investigated for accepting illicit gains under the Anti-Corruption Act as well as money laundering.

Based on information available on the two companies' website, Tungwei is a real estate developer while HDRE provides a variety of green energy solutions, including the development and construction of solar energy sites, electric vehicle charging stations, and energy storage.

Acting on a tip-off, prosecutors on Monday searched 22 locations across Taiwan, including Cheng's residence and the offices of the two companies, and brought in several people for questioning.

They also requested documents from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taipower.

Following initial questioning, prosecutors on Tuesday filed a motion in court to detain and hold incommunicado Cheng, Tungwei founder Chen Chien-sheng (陳健盛) and his son Chen Kuan-tao (陳冠滔).

Meanwhile, HDRE's general manager, identified only by his surname Chou (周), was released on NT$1 million (US$32,761) bail.

Cheng's parents were each released on NT$100,000 bail, while a friend, surnamed Hsu, and a retired Taipower official, surnamed Hsiao (蕭), were released after questioning.

In a separate statement, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said on behalf of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) that as long as evidence existed to justify a judicial investigation, the law would be strictly enforced without leniency.

Speaking to reporters before a Legislative hearing on Monday morning, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the government will not tolerate any criminal activity, and anyone involved in the case, if found guilty, will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.