Opinion | Questions over impartiality of judicial system in Taiwan
A light sentence for a former presidential aide in a graft scandal that was widely criticised should be cue for considering trial by jury
The recent acquittal of a former top aide of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou on corruption charges has been widely criticised by the media and the public, with fresh concerns raised about the long disputed impartiality of the island's judicial system.
Lin Yi-shih, a former cabinet secretary general, close confidant of Ma and suspect in a high-profile graft scandal, was instead found guilty of extortion and failing to explain the source of his wealth.
We cannot satisfy everyone's expectations and rule that the defendant was guilty of corruption just because of pressure from society
On April 30, the Taipei District Court sentenced him to 71/4 years in jail, much less than the life sentence sought by prosecutors.
In an indictment issued in March, Lin was described as a "wolf preying on villagers" who allegedly demanded NT$63 million (HK$16.56 million) in bribes from a businessman in 2010, while serving as a legislator.
The indictment said Lin demanded the money from Chen Chi-hsiang, who wanted to secure a slag treatment contract from China Steel in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. The island's government holds a controlling stake in the Taiwan-listed steelmaker.
Last year, when Lin was cabinet secretary general, he allegedly demanded another NT$83 million from Chen, who refused to pay up and instead exposed the case to Taiwanese media in June. That led to an investigation by prosecutors and Lin's arrest in July.