09.23.2004 Taipei Times
Su Ying-kuei sued over `meddling justice' claim
NO SHOW: It's a common tactic -- smear someone as a wrongdoer, then mysteriously fail to provide evidence; the latest example may undo an independent lawmaker
By Jimmy Chuang, STAFF REPORTER, Thursday, Sep 23, 2004,Page 2
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Tsung-yi yesterday filed a slander suit against independent Legislator Su Ying-kuei for refusing to identify a grand justice who allegedly attempted to persuade him not to support a controversial piece of legislation.
Chen filed the suit at the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office by reporting the case to prosecutors, who are expected to begin an investigation. Chen is not otherwise involved in the matter.
"Everybody was hoping that Su would tell the truth at a press conference on Tuesday. However, he disappointed us and decided to say nothing. So I have decided to ask for the prosecutors' help to defend the reputation of the grand justices," Chen said.
To find out who, if anyone, called Su about the March 19 Shooting Truth Investigation Special Committee Statute, Judicial Yuan Secretary-General Fan Kuang-chun visited Su at the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday morning. Chen was also present, but Su did not make public his evidence -- a voice mail on his mobile phone which he claimed was left by a grand justice.
"Grand justices are neutral and we shall keep them that way. Politics is not allowed to interfere with their work. If Su cannot provide any evidence to back up his accusation, he'll be held to be in contempt and he will have to be responsible for that," Chen said. "You cannot accuse someone without evidence just like that. It isn't right."
Su faces a jail term of up to six months if found to have unfairly cast aspersions on the Council of Grand Justices or on any of its members.
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