District court finds 'traitor'-accusing legislator not guilty

The Chiayi District Court acquitted legislator Chen Ming-wen of the charge resulting from a “traitor” remark he made concerning Wong Chung-chun.

Chen from the Democratic Progressive Party last October likened Wong to a notorious traitor in Chinese history who played a crucial role helping invaders conquer China and set up the imperial Qing Dynasty.

Chen, who was then still magistrate of Chiayi County, was referring to Wong's attempts to enlist Chinese investment in a BOT (build-operate-transfer) project for the development of a Chiayi harbor.

Wong, from the ruling Kuomintang, then immediately took legal action, accusing Chen of intentionally trying to undermine his election chances.

But the court ruled that Chen made the remark during a county council meeting only in response to questions from councilors, without the intention of undermining Wong's campaign.

Wong, who lost the race, could still appeal the verdict.Chen won a seat in the Legislature in legislative by-elections last month.

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