TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Tokyo Electron said Thursday it had sacked the engineer who had obtained confidential data about the 2 nm process at his previous employer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

The Taiwan subsidiary of the Japanese chip equipment manufacturer said it had not discovered any confidential information related to the engineer, per CNA. The Hsinchu-based company emphasized it would cooperate with the authorities.

The Taiwan High Court approved the detention of three suspects, including a former TSMC engineer surnamed Chen (陳) and a serving engineer surnamed Wu (吳) who was later fired for his alleged part in the incident. The suspects are being investigated for breaking the National Security Act.

Tokyo Electron Taiwan said in a statement that it respected the law, and that an internal investigation had not shown any confidential data shared to third parties by the former TSMC employee. As the case is now under judicial review, Tokyo Electron said it would not make any further comments.

National Development Council Minister and TSMC board member Paul Liu (劉鏡清) said prosecutors and the National Science and Technology Council were investigating the case, CNA reported. He added that the company’s next board meeting would likely comment further on the issue.