TAINAN (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Tainan District Court (台南地方法院) ordered the detention of the Chinese captain of the Togo-registered vessel "Hong Tai" (宏泰) on Thursday (Feb. 27), citing significant evidence and the potential risk to public safety due to disrupted communications.
The Chinese-crewed Hong Tai vessel allegedly severed an undersea cable between Taiwan and Penghu on Tuesday. The court, referencing co-conspirator confessions and witness testimony, charged the captain under Article 72 of the Telecommunications Management Act (電信管理法).
The captain, who lacks a permanent residence in Taiwan, poses a flight risk if released on bail. Additionally, the court expressed concerns that he might collude with accomplices, given the ongoing investigation into the division of responsibilities among the suspects.
The vessel lingered northwest of Jiangjun Fish Harbor (將軍漁港) from Feb. 22 evening to the early hours of Feb. 25, ignoring seven broadcasts from the Anping Port (安平港) signal station. Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信) reported the cable breakage at 3 a.m. on Feb. 25, prompting the Coast Guard Administration (海巡署) to intercept the vessel and detain all eight Chinese crew members.
