TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei District Prosecutors Office investigated suspicious signatures on legislative recall petitions, resulting in six KMT members being called in for questioning on Monday.
One of the investigation's targets was Liu Szu-yin (劉思吟), a member of the KMT Youth League and the convener of a recall initiative targeting DPP Legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶). Prosecutors allege that many of the signatures on the recall petition were copied from party membership lists or those of deceased individuals, per PTS.
The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau searched Liu's residence and questioned fellow KMT associates Lee Hsiao-liang (李孝亮), Lai Yi-jen (賴苡任), Man Chih-kang (滿志剛), and Chen Kuan-an (陳冠安).
Another individual targeted by prosecutors was Chang Ke-jin (張克晉), a senior KMT member and art instructor, who led the recall petition to oust DPP Legislator Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤). Five of Chang's relatives or collaborators were also investigated.
Taipei prosecutors said KMT members may face fines and potential imprisonment for violating the Personal Data Protection Act and the Public Officials Election and Recall Act.
Wu Szu-yao called out KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) for allowing a young KMT member to take the blame. Wu suggested those being interrogated acted on the orders of elder party members.
"KMT elders are hiding behind the scenes. Eric Chu should not hide behind the young people," said Wu.
Chu responded on Facebook, criticizing the ruling party for using the judiciary as a tool to punish the KMT. He also vowed not to abandon the KMT youth in recall campaigns.
Chu was backed by KMT Legislator Lo Chih-Chiang (羅智強), who said, "The DPP plans to annihilate the opposition party. I want to tell the DPP and Lai Ching-te (賴清德) not to cause trouble for my team. If you want to settle accounts, go after me."
The Central Election Commission said 39 legislative recall petitions it has received have been found to contain forgeries and signatures of deceased people. The CEC said each case would be sent to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office for further investigation.
