TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Around 200 demonstrators gathered outside a Taipei court on Wednesday during a pre-trial hearing for two childcarers accused of torturing an infant to death.
The two sisters and formerly registered nannies surnamed Liu (劉) face trial for causing the death of a 1-year-old under their care by torturing them over four months in 2023. The court set the trial date for May 8 and said a verdict is expected on May 13.
Protestors arrived outside the Taipei District Court during the hearing calling for imprisonment without the possibility of parole, per Yahoo News. Other protestors held signs reading “the only punishment is the death penalty” and “zero tolerance for child abuse.”
Taipei 101 Chair Chia Yong-chieh (賈永婕) attended the protest and questioned the system that allowed the abuse to happen. She told UDN she wants the heaviest sentence for the Liu sisters.
About 15 police officers were at the scene and no altercations were reported. Inside the courtroom, the defendants' lawyers asked the court to protect their clients’ families and use screens to separate the gallery and witnesses.
A presiding judge acknowledged the lawyers' concerns. They asked people witnessing proceedings to keep banners and protests outside, and for the jury to handle the case fairly and objectively.
The justice ministry responded to the protests by noting that child abuse penalties were increased last year. It said it would solicit opinions from a wide range of people and study the issue carefully before further amendments.
