Taiwanese Diabolo Coach Sentenced to Over 12 Years for Chinese Espionage

A Diabolo coach, Lu Jixian, has been sentenced to a combined 12 years and 8 months in prison for espionage activities on behalf of China. He was found guilty of recruiting former military personnel and airline employees to form a spy ring.

Prosecutors revealed that Lu had been tasked by Chinese intelligence to gather sensitive information. This included details about former President Tsai Ing-wen's state visits to allied nations, such as Guatemala. Specifically, Lu obtained and relayed classified data concerning the take-off and landing times and locations of presidential aircraft.

In a separate but related case, Lu was previously sentenced to 10 years and 6 months for recruiting former Air Force Sergeant Lu Chien-hsin and China Airlines former employee Ge Canghao. The court convicted Lu on two counts under the National Security Act, handing down sentences of six years for each offense, which will be served consecutively.