TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has been gripped by a recent surge of emailed bomb threats, causing widespread public concern. Although subsequent investigations have determined these threats false alarms, they burdened law enforcement agencies.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) has worked on 258 reported bomb threat cases, a significant number traced back to Zhang Hai-chuan, a former mainland Chinese graduate student studying in Taiwan. Allegedly driven by resentment from failed romantic pursuits, Zhang has sent many threatening bomb emails to various locations in Taiwan, triggering a series of investigations.
However, before facing trial, Zhang managed to evade authorities by leaving the country, leaving the Taipei District Prosecutors Office with the difficult task of seeking justice. CIB's head of the Technology Research and Development Division, Huang Chen-ching, highlighted their advanced investigative techniques that helped determine the suspects' identities and locations.
Despite knowing the suspect's whereabouts, Huang emphasized the difficulty in seeking justice without cross-strait judicial collaboration. These bomb threats underscore the need for cooperation between Taiwan and China to deter such crimes.
Prominent locations, including the Presidential Palace, Taoyuan International Airport, train stations, and famous amusement parks, have been explicit targets of these menacing emails.
To address the threats, authorities have deployed police to MRT stations and implemented metal detectors. The investigation mainly focuses on potential hiding places for explosives, such as restrooms and fire hydrants.
