Taiwan charges five men over plot to hurt comedian who mocks Xi
Prosecutors in Taiwan charged five men over a plot to injure comedian Huang Yi-hao, who mocks Chinese leader Xi Jinping, The Guardian and the AP reported. Prosecutors said a person from mainland China known only as K paid them. A car struck Huang in September, but he was not badly hurt.
Prosecutors in Taiwan have charged five men over a plot to injure a comedian who makes fun of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to The Guardian and the Associated Press.
The comedian, Huang Yi-hao, mocks Xi and the Chinese Communist Party in his shows, the outlets reported. In one clip, he compares Xi to Winnie the Pooh, the AP said.
Prosecutors in New Taipei said a person from mainland China known only as K directed and paid the men, The Guardian and the AP reported. K wanted Huang hurt badly enough to need a hospital stay, the outlets said. The AP said the aim was to keep him from a show set for September 20.
The men were promised 450,000 New Taiwan dollars, about $13,900, The Guardian and the AP reported. A tracking device was put on Huang's scooter to follow his routine, the outlets said.
On September 11, a car struck Huang and his scooter, The Guardian and the AP reported. The men stopped after hearing him scream. Huang was not seriously hurt. The Guardian said he was left with a bruised pelvis. Because his injuries were minor, K refused to pay the full sum, the outlets reported.
Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of two years and seven months to five years and six months, the AP reported.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment, The Guardian and the AP reported.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned what it called "transnational repression," the AP reported. It said there would be "absolutely no leniency" for those involved.
Huang said he would not cancel future shows, The Guardian reported. He asked how Taiwan could keep its "freedom of speech should the CCP ever gain control over Taiwan," the AP reported.
China claims Taiwan as its territory, the outlets reported.
What we know: Five men are charged over a paid plot to injure Huang, and prosecutors say the money came from mainland China.
What we don't: Who K is, and whether anyone in China will face charges.
Where outlets agree The Guardian and the AP report that Taiwan charged five men over a plot to injure comedian Huang Yi-hao, which prosecutors say was paid for by a person from mainland China known only as K.
Where they differ The Guardian says the car hit Huang as he rode home, while the AP quotes him saying he had parked his scooter in an alley when a car swerved toward him.