Taiwan accuses Hong Kong residents of hiring 4 people to spy on lawmaker critical of China

Taiwanese prosecutors have charged four individuals from Hong Kong with allegedly spying on Taiwanese lawmaker Puma Shen and his family two years ago. The charges stem from the collection and use of personal data by the Hong Kong residents to surveil Shen, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and a vocal critic of China.

The defendants are accused of illegally gathering and utilizing the personal information of Shen, his wife, and their daughter, causing them harm in the process. Prosecutors allege that three of the accused placed a small camera on Shen's family's motorbike, which they parked in front of the family's residence in Taipei from October 1 to November 8, 2024.

The Hong Kong pair allegedly received images of Shen and his family via the messaging app Telegram. These individuals were paid US$12,700 (HK$99,669) for their services. Arrest warrants have been issued for the two people in Hong Kong. Shen, who is running for Taipei mayor in the upcoming local elections, has not commented on the case at this time.