The Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office has concluded the investigation into the bribery case involving the Hsinchu City Farmers' Association, eliminating the interference of money in elections and upholding the spirit of democracy and the rule of law
- Publication Date：
- Last updated：2025-04-18
- View count：28
- This case is directed by Prosecutor Huang Yi-Lin of our office and is being investigated by the Hsinchu City Investigation Station of the Ministry of Justice’s Investigation Bureau.
- Investigation Results: The defendant Yang ○ De is suspected of violating Article 47-1, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the Agricultural Association Act by attempting to influence a voter’s voting rights in the agricultural association elections. Accordingly, we have filed a public prosecution against Yang ○ De and referred the case to the Hsinchu District Court for trial.
- Summary of Criminal Facts: a. Yang ○ De was elected as a member representative of the 11th Agricultural Association of Qiedong Village in Hsinchu City on February 15, 2025. Subsequently, intending to run for the position of supervisor in the same election, he chose not to follow proper procedures. Knowing that agricultural association elections must adhere to principles of fairness and justice, and that it is illegal to solicit, negotiate, or offer goods to voters to influence their voting behavior, he nevertheless sought to persuade eligible voters to vote in a specific manner. On February 18 of the same year, at approximately 1:27 PM, he drove a personal vehicle carrying Huang ○ Mei (who was not prosecuted by our office) to the residence of another elected member representative of Qiedong Village, Wu ○ Quan. b. Yang ○ De exited the vehicle to look for Wu ○ Quan, but Wu ○ Quan evaded him by going inside. Therefore, Yang ○ De only interacted with Wu's spouse, Xie ○ Zhi. Yang ○ De stated to Xie, “We have to support our own, Hakka people must support Hakka people,” and “Money is not a problem; I will give you 200,000 first, and then another 100,000 if I get elected,” attempting to persuade her to convey support for his candidacy to Wu ○ Quan. After Xie clearly declined, Yang ○ De persisted, saying, “I will give you 150,000 first, and then another 150,000 if I get elected,” seeking her assistance to relay the message. However, Xie did not agree, and Yang ○ De eventually left. After he left, Xie immediately informed Wu ○ Quan of the situation.
- The Chief Prosecutor Chen Song-Ji of our office places a high value on the information regarding bribery in this agricultural association election, instructing Executive Secretary Qiu Zhi-Ping to coordinate the intelligence within the jurisdiction and appoint a dedicated prosecutor for the investigation. Under the direction of Prosecutor Huang Yi-Lin, the police and investigative units interviewed the defendant and witnesses to swiftly clarify the case context, demonstrating our firm stance against bribery and our commitment to maintaining grassroots democracy.
- Our office calls upon everyone that elections are the cornerstone of the democratic system, while election bribery is a cancer that undermines public trust and electoral fairness. Only by raising public awareness, courageously reporting incidents, and continuously preventing bribery and violent interference can we create a fair and clean electoral atmosphere. This will safeguard democratic values and ensure that elections truly reflect public opinion, free from the interference of monetary power.