TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Chinese man surnamed Ruan (阮) who drove a motorboat to the mouth of the Tamsui River was ordered detained and held incommunicado by the Shilin District Prosecutors Office on Monday (June 17).
The incident occurred on June 9 when he drove a 9-meter-long motorboat into the Tamsui River Estuary before hitting a ferry that was parked at a pier. He later voluntarily surrendered himself to the Coast Guard.
His motive for entering Taiwan was unclear, as he made comments that he feared political persecution in China for comments made on online messaging apps. Taiwan authorities are suspicious, however, as Ruan was formerly a captain in China’s Navy and appeared well-spoken and articulate.
After interrogation, prosecutors determined he had violated the Immigration Act through his illegal entry into Taiwan. Other offenses include violating the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, per CNA.
Thus, prosecutors ordered him to be detained ahead of trial as he was proven to be at risk of fleeing or escaping. Due to the sensitive political nature of his entry into Taiwan, he was ordered to be held without communication with others.
His arrest by the Coast Guard made him the second illegal Chinese immigration case this year. After the ruling by the Shilin District Prosecutors Office, the Immigration Agency took him into custody.
