Taipei: Cross-party lawmakers on Wednesday expressed concern over possible copycat incidents following a fatal stabbing attack in Taipei earlier this month, as police and prosecutors detailed efforts to counter online misinformation, threats and imitation during a Legislative Yuan committee session.
According to Focus Taiwan, Liao Tsung-hung, a chief administrator at the National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Bureau, reported that the bureau has investigated 118 cases since the attack, uncovering 23 potential criminal cases involving 22 suspects. Following the incident, where a 27-year-old Taiwanese man set off smoke bombs and stabbed random passersby in central Taipei on Dec. 19, resulting in four deaths including the attacker, police established a task force to manage the situation.
Liao emphasized the daily compilation of data on online attacks and false statements, with ongoing coordination with local police departments. He stated that any substantial dissemination of false information would lead to immediate notification of local authorities and relevant agencies.
The remarks were made during a session of the Legislative Yuan Judiciary and Organic Laws Committee, which convened to review reports from the Ministry of Justice and other agencies on preventing indiscriminate attacks and examining sentencing. Kuomintang lawmaker Lin Chien-chi highlighted the spread of unverified information on social media, including unfounded claims about the suspect's background and alleged foreign involvement.
Lin expressed concerns about "information warfare operations" that exploit major public security incidents to exacerbate social tensions. She urged authorities to address the dissemination of false and malicious content and inquired about police countermeasures.
Taiwan's Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien reported that prosecutors handled 40 cases involving 38 individuals since the attack, leading to five indictments. Authorities filed 18 detention requests, resulting in 13 detentions, nine releases on bail, and one temporary psychiatric placement.
Cheng assured that response and monitoring teams are tackling copycat effects while implementing care mechanisms for victims. Executive Yuan Office of Homeland Security advisor Liu Chen-an stated that the office continues to oversee early warning and follow-up measures in response to potential copycat threats.
In a related incident, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wu Szu-yao revealed that her email account was impersonated in October, leading to threats of a National Day attack, and again this month with six threats of indiscriminate attacks. Wu mentioned Taipei's Beitou District is currently "on alert" due to December's attack, with police tracing IP addresses linked to Vietnam. Liao confirmed ongoing investigations and promised further updates.