President vows to get to bottom of death of army conscript
ROC Central News Agency
2013/07/20 17:03:31
Taipei, July 20 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou apologized Saturday to the family of an Army corporal who died in confinement earlier this month and vowed to uncover the truth behind the strange circumstances surrounding his death.
Ma offered his condolences and apologized for the death of Hung Chung-chiu after he arrived at Hung's home in Houli in central Taiwan.
The president also told Hung's parents and sister that he has ordered a speedy investigation into the cause of their loved one's death.
'I assure you that we will get to the bottom of the case, clarify the truth and bring to justice of all those who are found guilty in the incident,' Ma pledged.
He also promised to keep Hung's family informed of progress in the investigation as long as such disclosures do not violate the principle of confidentiality in criminal investigations.
Hung, a 24-year-old graduate of National Cheng Kung University, died July 4 from heatstroke, a day after collapsing following strenuous exercises in sweltering heat.
He was sent to the brig on June 28 after he was found carrying a camera-equipped phone in violation of a standing order.
The military has since found several flaws in the process that led Hung to be incarcerated -- including finding that he should have only been given an administrative reprimand for his misconduct -- and questions have also arisen over possible abuse while Hung was jailed.
The military's inability to explain why surveillance video of Hung forced to do punishing exercises on July 1 and the 30 minutes before he collapsed on July 3 came up blank has also raised suspicions, and left Hung's family feeling it cannot trust those running the investigation.
The family has asked for third-party assistance in the investigation, and Ma told the family Saturday that the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau has been directed to assist in verifying evidence.
Hung's death sparked a public outcry. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has since taken a series of steps, including an administrative investigation, that have resulted in punishments being handed down to more than 30 commissioned and non-commissioned officers.
Four Army officers have also been taken into custody on abuse charges, but those moves have yet to mollify suspicions that the military has yet to come fully clean on the incident.
Thousands of protesters rallied in front of MND headquarters in Taipei on Saturday to demand justice in Hung's death.
The protesters were scheduled to hold a vigil near the Legislative Yuan Saturday night in memory of Hung.
(By Chen Shu-fen and Sofia Wu)
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