Ma Ying-jeou acquitted in "Three Chinas" case; legislator slams "green judiciary"

Former President Ma Ying-jeou has been definitively acquitted in the "Three Chinas" case, a legal battle that has spanned two decades. Legislator Lo Chih-chiang criticized the lengthy proceedings, calling it a "black mark on green judiciary" and a waste of judicial resources. The acquittal, he stated, finally delivered justice to Ma, but warned that Taiwan's judiciary would struggle for fairness as long as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) exerted influence.

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The Democratic Progressive Party has needlessly entangled Ma Ying-jeou in the Three Chinas case for 20 years, wasting countless judicial resources. This is a black mark on green judiciary.

Lo detailed the case's history, noting that the investigation began in 2007 after accusations of undervaluation of "Three Chinas" assets. The Special Investigation Division initially found no evidence of wrongdoing and closed the case in 2014. However, after a change in government, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office reopened the investigation, indicting Ma on charges of breach of trust. Despite the defense's assertions that the Kuomintang (KMT) did not profit from the transactions, prosecutors proceeded, allegedly establishing a "Three Chinas War Room" to build a case against Ma.

Lo highlighted irregularities in the investigation, including leaks to the media and the prosecution's insistence on confiscating "ill-gotten gains" despite no personal profit for Ma. He pointed out that courts at both the first and second instances found Ma not guilty, yet prosecutors appealed. The Supreme Court ultimately rejected the appeal. Lo also noted the career progression of prosecutor Hsing Tai-chao, who oversaw the reopening of the case and was promoted to prosecutor general before retiring.

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As long as the DPP's black hand is still there, Taiwan's judiciary will find it difficult to be fair and clear.

Beyond the "Three Chinas" case, Lo accused the DPP of using the judiciary to target political opponents. He cited the case of former New Power Party Chairman Ko Wen-je, who was allegedly imprisoned for a year based on fabricated testimony. Lo also mentioned the detention of a KMT party official on high bail and the prosecution of legislator Huang Kuo-chang, arguing that the judiciary has become a tool for the DPP's political purges, damaging its independence and fairness.

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The judiciary has become a sharp knife for the DPP to purge and pursue political enemies.