Chen Chun-ying, 49, a former elementary school teacher from Taipei County, threatened to assassinate Ma in an e-mail he sent to the Presidential Office using the names of two former colleagues on April 27, the court said. Chen used the names of the former colleagues, who had fallen out with him, the court said.

But the court only convicted him on a count of document forgery, instead of more serious counts, as Chen confessed and showed remorse after he was arrested.

He also promised to donate NT$100,000 to the school where one of the two former colleagues currently works. The prison terms could be converted to a fine, and Chen could still appeal.