Taiwan indicts politician, former military officers on charges of spying for China

​​​​​​​By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - The head of a political party, along with six retired military officers, were indicted by Taiwan on espionage charges, officials said Wednesday.

Prosecutors accuse Fukang Alliance Party Chairman Chu Hung-yi, and the six others of taking money to build a political party, selling photographs and sharing the GPS coordinates of military facilities to China. They are additionally accused of making a list of high-ranking military officers.

Chu, the chief suspect, who is also a retired military officer, is in detention while the others are prohibited from leaving the country, according to Taiwan Focus, citing a statement from the Taichung District Prosecutors Office.

The defendants are being tried by the Taichung Office which oversees espionage-related cases.

If found guilty, they can face up to seven years in prison and a fine of NT$50 million to NT$100 million ($1.5 million to $3 million).

China views Taiwan as a “breakaway province” despite Taipei having governed itself since 1949. Beijing has vowed to reunify the island, including by force if necessary.​​​​​​​