By KHT Staff. AI-generated illustration; not a depiction of the accused or a reconstruction of events.
KAOHSIUNG — A former Investigation Bureau official accused of arranging unauthorized sexual encounters for prisoners at bureau facilities will remain barred from leaving Taiwan for another eight months, following a ruling by the Ciaotou District Court (橋頭地方法院).
Chen Chi-yuan (陳麒元), a former head of the bureau’s Penghu investigation unit, allegedly used his authority to transfer prisoners for questioning to arrange meetings with their wives and extramarital partners, Liberty Times reported on October 5.
The alleged conduct occurred between 2019 and 2021, when Chen worked at the bureau’s Chiayi County station. Prosecutors allege he accepted mobile phones from prisoners’ relatives and facilitated encounters at facilities including the bureau’s Taoyuan office and Southern Mobile Investigation Station. He allegedly stood watch outside restrooms and looked after a prisoner’s child while the encounters took place.
Ciaotou prosecutors indicted Chen on corruption charges in June 2023. The court released him on NT$400,000 bail, with restrictions on overseas travel and contact with witnesses.
In his latest request to lift the travel restrictions, Chen argued that he had been suspended from duty, had family ties in Taiwan, and had consistently attended court hearings.
The judges rejected the request. According to the report, they cited the seriousness of the allegations, previous evidence destruction, and Chen’s extensive knowledge of criminal procedures. They also considered whether contacts developed during his investigative career could help him flee abroad.
The court extended the ban on leaving Taiwan by air or sea for eight months beginning October 11. The corruption case remains before the court.
