Youtuber Holger Chen bailed over 'behead the president' remark

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) YouTuber Holger Chen (陳之漢) was released on NT$150,000 (US$4,903) bail Wednesday after being questioned by prosecutors in New Taipei for shouting "behead the president" during a livestream.

Chen, a social media influencer commonly referred to as "gym manager" in the Taiwanese press, is suspected of violating Article 153 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits inciting others to commit crimes, and Article 305, which covers intimidation.

Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), a national-level agency, said its 7th Investigation Corps received several reports from citizens claiming Chen made violent comments about harming Taiwan's head of state during an Oct. 5 livestream on YouTube.

The bureau said it collected evidence and asked the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office to oversee the probe.

CIB Deputy Commissioner Chen Shih-huang (陳世煌) said the bureau and the New Taipei City Police Department formed a joint task force to handle the case and summoned Chen to appear at 2 p.m. Wednesday to give a statement.

Speaking to reporters outside the bureau before questioning, Chen said he "had no intent to threaten anyone."

He accused what he called "green terror" -- alluding to the color associated with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government -- of targeting opposition figures.

When asked by the media whether the case involved the National Security Act, Deputy Commissioner Chen said the investigation was still under investigation and currently focused on intimidation and incitement offenses.

"If other criminal facts are found during the process, we will inform the party concerned in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure and transfer [it] to the District Prosecutors Office for investigation," he added.

The CIB urged the general public to think carefully before posting comments online.

"Think cautiously and confirm the truthfulness and legality before making comments on the internet," the bureau said in a statement.

"True freedom of speech is built upon the foundation of the rule of law, and any illegal act will bear corresponding legal consequences," the bureau added.