Legislature passes bill encouraging spies to give themselves up

ROC Central News Agency

2011/06/03 19:24:29

Taipei, June 3 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan passed a draft amendment Friday that will give pardons to Taiwan citizens who come forward voluntarily and provide a full account of their espionage activities against Taiwan.

Ruling Kuomintang Legislator Lin Yu-fang, who sponsored the bill, said that under the amendment, former spies who turn themselves in and provide information that contributes to the uncovering of other secret agents or helps protect national security will not be punished or receive reduced sentences for past crimes.

Those who were forced to collect intelligence but had not begun spying activities were also entitled to receive a pardon if they turned themselves in voluntarily, Lin said.

The amendment was introduced after a one-star Army general was detained in January on charges of espionage. The 51-year-old Lo Hsien-che is Taiwan's highest-ranking military officer to have allegedly spied for China.

Meanwhile, the amendment also requires that the government intervene in cases where Chinese citizens enter Taiwan and engage in activities that go beyond their stated purpose of visit.

Those who refuse to be questioned should be handed over to law enforcement authorities, the amendment says.

(By Ho Meng-kuei and Deborah Kuo)

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