Taiwan army officers punished for serviceman's death
CNA 2013-07-12 13:44
General Lee Shying-jow was the most senior officer to be punished over the death of the corporal. (Photo/Chen I-cheng)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense decided Thursday to punish 27 Army officers, including Commander General Lee Shying-jow, over the death of a serviceman subjected to disciplinary confinement.
The officers were given demerits or removed from their posts, with 12 of them facing court martial, according to the ministry announcement made after a meeting presided over by Chief of the General Staff General Yen Ming.
The highest ranking person to be punished was Lee, a three-star general who was given a demerit pending approval by President Ma Ying-jeou.
Among the others being punished were two two-star generals and four one-star generals. Until now, the ministry had not punished officers higher in rank in recent years, according to military sources.
Eight officers from the 269th Brigade, where the victim had been sent for disciplinary action were also punished. They include Yang Fang-han, a one-star brigade commander.
The personnel to be punished also include 10 officials and officers from the 542nd Brigade, in which the victim served as a corporal. Brigade commander Shen Wei-chih was given two demerits, removed from his post and referred to military prosecutors.
The deceased, Corporal Hung Chung-chiu, was sent to disciplinary confinement in Taoyuan county on June 28, about a week before he was to be discharged, for carrying a camera phone against regulations.
Hung died on July 3 halfway through his one-week confinement. He was hospitalized on that day for feeling unwell after physical training.
The cause of death is still under investigation although initial reports pointed to organ failure due to heat stroke and mistreatment.
