A court docket in Taipei has jailed eight Taiwanese troopers for spying on behalf of China in trade for cash.
Retired navy officers bribed lively obligation troopers with as a lot as 700,000 Taiwan {dollars} ($21,900; £16,700) to hitch a spy community, the court docket discovered.
One of many males, who was believed to be key to recruiting troopers, obtained a 13-year sentence, the longest within the group.
One of many recruits, a lieutenant-colonel, was handed 9 years for planning to defect to China by flying a helicopter, whereas one other shot an educational video about surrendering to China within the occasion of struggle.
China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that can ultimately be below its management, and has not dominated out the usage of power to take the island.
The 2 sides have been spying on one another because the finish of the Chinese language civil struggle in 1949.
Ten folks in whole have been indicted for spying final yr, and eight have been sentenced on Thursday. The court docket acquitted one, whereas one other – a retired officer – stays at giant.
“They have been seduced by cash,” the court docket stated.
“Their actions violated their official duties of being loyal to the nation, defending the nation and the folks… to noticeably endanger nationwide safety and the well-being of the folks of Taiwan.”
Taiwan not too long ago flagged Beijing’s rising espionage efforts, with the sentencing on Thursday the most recent in a string of instances.
Final month, a sergeant who labored at a navy coaching centre was indicted for allegedly photographing and leaking confidential defence knowledge to China.
Taipei has additionally raised concern over the rising frequency of Chinese language fighter jet flights across the island.
On Friday, Taiwan’s President William Lai stated the island’s folks “should unite as one” and “defend nationwide sovereignty and safeguard democracy”.
He was talking at an occasion to commemorate the 66th anniversary of China’s assault on Taiwan’s Kinmen islands.
