TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An Australian man appeared at Taipei District Court on Wednesday to testify in the trial of a woman accused of poisoning him with rat poison.

Yang Chin-ping (楊錦屏) was indicted for the attempted murder of her Australian boyfriend Alex Shorey in 2023, per ETtoday. Shorey was at the courthouse accompanied by his parents and lawyer.

According to investigators, Yang met Shorey online when he was studying Mandarin in Taiwan and began dating him in early 2023.

Prosecutors allege that after learning Shorey planned to return to Australia earlier than expected, Yang mixed the liquid rodenticide superwarfarin into fruit juice. This reportedly caused diarrhea, vomiting, nosebleeds, and blood in his urine, which required hospitalization.

Although Shorey’s condition improved after treatment, Yang allegedly mixed poison twice more into his food and medication. Shorey’s parents launched a public fundraiser to cover the cost of a medical evacuation flight to return him to Australia, bringing the case to public attention and prompting the Taipei District Prosecutors Office to open an investigation.

The brother of Yang's late husband, a British national who died suddenly in early 2023, made a surprise appearance at the court, per TVBS. He has questioned the circumstances surrounding his brother's death and has reportedly called for an investigation into Yang for her possible involvement.