TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan High Court (台灣高等法院) convened Thursday (Dec. 11) to hear an appeal of the case against Taiwanese entertainer NONO, who faces charges of sexual offenses. NONO denied the allegations, which include attempted sexual assault. The first trial found him guilty of attempted forced sexual intercourse and sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months. The court acquitted him of six other charges due to insufficient evidence.
Prosecutors have appealed the acquittals, and NONO has appealed his guilty verdict. The court plans to summon witnesses on Jan. 29 and hold debates on Feb. 12, with a verdict to follow. Prosecutors allege NONO exploited his celebrity status and work opportunities between 2008 and 2013 to commit acts violating sexual autonomy against six women. The prosecution accused him of three counts of forced sexual intercourse, two counts of attempted forced sexual intercourse, and two counts of forced indecency.
Taiwan has seen a surge in sexual harassment and assault cases, with victims speaking out and fueling the "MeToo movement" in the country. Multiple women accused NONO of sexual assault in 2023, prompting him to announce a hiatus from his entertainment career on Facebook for reflection. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office (士林地檢署) also indicted NONO for offenses against a massage parlor employee and a female netizen, with the Shilin District Court (士林地院) currently handling these cases. ◼
