TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former CTi News journalist Lin Chen-yu (林宸佑), known as “Ma De,” is expected to appear in court Thursday as prosecutors move ahead in a case linking Chinese influence operations to alleged military intelligence payments.
Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office has finished its investigation after Lin spent nearly four months in detention, and the case involving Lin and others is set to be transferred to the Qiaotou District Court, per UDN. It is expected that he will be charged under the Anti-Infiltration Act, as well as on charges pertaining to bribery and money laundering.
Lin was taken into custody Jan. 16 after investigators accused him of helping move money to military personnel and sought incommunicado detention over concerns he could collude with others in the case. His detention was extended in March as prosecutors continued to pursue alleged accomplices and review a large body of evidence.
The case centers on two alleged tracks: media content and military leaks. Prosecutors found Lin had received Chinese instructions during a specific recall election campaign, produced videos under Chinese direction for his CTi program “Ma De Has Something to Say,” and submitted audience data to his backers afterward, with pay allegedly tied to content and performance, per NOWnews. He reportedly received up to NT$200,000 (US$6,365) per show.
Investigators also allege Chinese funds were routed through Tether, converted into Taiwan dollars, and sent to active-duty or retired service members. The payments reportedly ranged from NT$70,000 to NT$1.74 million, while one person allegedly sold sensitive attack drone information for NT$180,000.
Prosecutors are expected to explain the investigation results Thursday morning. A judge will then decide if Lin is to remain in custody after the case enters court.
