NAZI INFLUENCE:Five protesters in 2015 were arrested for cutting up flags, sparking a series of appeals over the legality of the act, which was outlawed in the 1930s
Taipei Times
Date: Nov 08, 2017
By: Yang Kuo-wen, Yan Hui-chun and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporters, with staff writer
The Taiwan High Court on Monday filed a request for a constitutional interpretation by
Taiwanese independence supporters cut the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) emblem out of a Republic of China flag before burning it during a protest at the 228 Peace Memorial Park in Taipei on Oct. 28, 2015. Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
the Council of Grand Justices on desecration of the flag, saying the Criminal Code penalizing such actions might infringe on freedom of speech, freedom of thought and proportionality.
The request was prompted by the case of independence advocates Chen Yi-ting (陳儀庭), Chen Miao-ting (陳妙婷) and three others, whose conviction for cutting up a dozen flags in 2015 was overturned on appeal by the New Taipei City District Court.
New Taipei City prosecutors appealed the overturned conviction.
High Court judges Chou Ying-wen (周盈文), Lin Meng-huang (林孟皇) and Lin Hai-hsiang (林海祥) decided to suspend the appeal trial to allow time for a constitutional interpretation. [FULL STORY]
