Taipei police may charge opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen for failing to contain thousands of supporters.
A media report quoted police saying the Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman had played a leading role in organising a rally that violated laws on public assembly and association. She is also suspected of leading them to cause disturbances and possibly violence.
Ms. Tsai called on tens of thousands of the party’s pro-independence followers to besiege the Taipei Guest House, where Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou was due to meet Chen Yunlin , Beijing’s point man for cross-strait relations, on Thursday. The protesters turned violent when they found Mr. Ma had met Mr. Chen and already left the venue after rescheduling the meeting from the afternoon to the morning.
At least one demonstrator reportedly hurled a homemade petrol bomb at hundreds of riot police. Others tossed rocks, glass bottles and even faeces at the security force, in an attempt to block Mr. Chen from returning to his hotel.
Nearly 150 police officers reportedly sustained injuries, though most were minor. One officer’s hand was burned, prompting police to use sticks and shields to beat protesters. After midnight, police used two water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Ms. Tsai has said she did not know the troublemakers and pointed a finger at gangsters, calling on police to investigate.
Mr. Ma condemned her for failing to keep the promise she made ahead of the rally that it would be peaceful.
“You can rarely shirk the responsibility by simply saying that you don’t recognise those who triggered disturbances, harm and violence. In fact, the masses were mobilised by you to join the action,” Mr. Ma said.
Ms. Tsai said his administration was to blame. “The masses were forced to take to the streets by the government and we’ll continue to do it,” she said.
Police will consider whether to transfer her case to the judicial department after collecting evidence.
Referring to the possible legal action, Cheng Wen-tsang, the director of the DPP’s Department of Culture and Information, said it would wait for any notice from the police before making a move.
Mr. Cheng said the authorities were trying to settle scores. “Instead of a legal issue, the incident has now been turned into a political one.”
Eighteen protesters were arrested and face charges ranging from disturbing social order to violating the law on association and assembly.
Meanwhile, Tainan Mayor Hsu Tain-tsair apologised for the shoving of Zhang Mingqing to the ground by protesters late last month. Mr. Zhang, Mr. Chen’s deputy, was on an academic trip to the island.
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Police may charge DPP leader
Choi Chi-yuk
10 November 2008
Taipei police may charge opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen for failing to contain thousands of supporters.
A media report quoted police saying the Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman had played a leading role in organising a rally that violated laws on public assembly and association. She is also suspected of leading them to cause disturbances and possibly violence.
Ms. Tsai called on tens of thousands of the party’s pro-independence followers to besiege the Taipei Guest House, where Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou was due to meet Chen Yunlin , Beijing’s point man for cross-strait relations, on Thursday. The protesters turned violent when they found Mr. Ma had met Mr. Chen and already left the venue after rescheduling the meeting from the afternoon to the morning.
At least one demonstrator reportedly hurled a homemade petrol bomb at hundreds of riot police. Others tossed rocks, glass bottles and even faeces at the security force, in an attempt to block Mr. Chen from returning to his hotel.
Nearly 150 police officers reportedly sustained injuries, though most were minor. One officer’s hand was burned, prompting police to use sticks and shields to beat protesters. After midnight, police used two water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Ms. Tsai has said she did not know the troublemakers and pointed a finger at gangsters, calling on police to investigate.
Mr. Ma condemned her for failing to keep the promise she made ahead of the rally that it would be peaceful.
“You can rarely shirk the responsibility by simply saying that you don’t recognise those who triggered disturbances, harm and violence. In fact, the masses were mobilised by you to join the action,” Mr. Ma said.
Ms. Tsai said his administration was to blame. “The masses were forced to take to the streets by the government and we’ll continue to do it,” she said.
Police will consider whether to transfer her case to the judicial department after collecting evidence.
Referring to the possible legal action, Cheng Wen-tsang, the director of the DPP’s Department of Culture and Information, said it would wait for any notice from the police before making a move.
Mr. Cheng said the authorities were trying to settle scores. “Instead of a legal issue, the incident has now been turned into a political one.”
Eighteen protesters were arrested and face charges ranging from disturbing social order to violating the law on association and assembly.
Meanwhile, Tainan Mayor Hsu Tain-tsair apologised for the shoving of Zhang Mingqing to the ground by protesters late last month. Mr. Zhang, Mr. Chen’s deputy, was on an academic trip to the island.
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