Former CNA reporter suspected of spying not to be indicted
CNA
2014-12-17
Kuo Mei-lan being escorted at the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, Feb.10. (File photo/Chen Chen-tang)
Taiwan prosecutors have decided not to press charges against a former journalist at Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) suspected of collecting intelligence for Beijing due to a lack of evidence.
The decision not to prosecute the reporter was hailed by the 41-year-old defendant as "swift and conclusive" Tuesday.
"I'm glad it's over," said Kuo Mei-lan, who was stationed in China while at CNA. "It was a misunderstanding from beginning to end."
Kuo's parents' home was searched on Feb. 10 this year while she was being investigated on suspicion of spying for Beijing.
She was released on NT$200,000 (US$6,600) bail Feb. 11 and banned from traveling overseas pending further investigation.
A Taiwanese businessman surnamed Chou was also questioned in relation to the case but was later released.
Investigators accused Kuo of attempting to "buy intelligence" from a division chief at the Investigation Bureau under Taiwan's Ministry of Justice in 2007 on behalf of China.
Prosecutors and investigators alleged that Kuo attempted to offer a "bountiful reward" for information but was turned down on the spot by the division chief.
Prosecutors at that time called the case a rare instance of a female operative spying for China, but noted that "fortunately, the woman surnamed Kuo did not get away with it."
Kuo had worked at several local media outlets, including at CNA from 2004 to 2011.