Tang Yu Zhe, Ada, and 13 Others Plead Guilty in Military Draft Evasion Case, Seek Suspended Sentences

(Central News Agency reporter Tsao Ya-yen, New Taipei, June 16) — The 'draft evasion case' went to court again today. The New Taipei District Court summoned the fourth group of defendants, including entertainers Tang Yu Zhe, Ada, Liao Ren-shuai, and Tang Chen-kang. All 14 conscripts pleaded guilty in court, claiming self-surrender and requesting suspended sentences. After the hearing, Ada told reporters he was sorry for setting a bad example.

The New Taipei prosecutors and police began investigating actor Wang Dalu's draft evasion case in February last year. In April this year, they indicted a fourth group of 15 people under the Military Service Obstruction Act and the Criminal Code's forgery provisions. The defendants include main suspect Chen Chih-ming, former Circus member Liao Ren-shuai, former Energy member Tang Chen-kang, entertainers Tang Yu Zhe, Ada, Chiu Hao-chi, Lee Wei-feng, singers Tsou Han-sheng and Yang Ching-han, dancer Lee Yi-fu, and five ordinary men. Prosecutors recommended suspended sentences for the 14 conscripts (excluding main suspect Chen) due to their voluntary self-surrender.

The New Taipei District Court held a preparatory hearing today. All 14 conscripts and Chen Chih-ming pleaded guilty in court, with the conscripts claiming self-surrender and requesting suspended sentences.

Tang Chen-kang said he was too young and made a mistake, expressing deep regret. His defense attorney requested leniency, citing Tang's early admission of guilt, good post-offense conduct, lack of blame-shifting, and no prior criminal record.

Ada's defense attorney stated that Ada self-surrendered, admitted guilt, has no prior record, and actively participates in public welfare, requesting a suspended sentence. Lee Wei-feng's attorney also urged the court to consider that he confessed to prosecutors before being caught, meeting the criteria for self-surrender.

Prosecutors recommended that the court obtain from military authorities the lengths of service each defendant evaded, as a reference for sentencing. The judge noted that since all defendants pleaded guilty, the court would adopt a simplified trial procedure and scheduled the next hearing for July 29.

As Ada left the courthouse, he clasped his hands and said, 'I will face the judicial ruling properly. I'm sorry for setting a bad example.' Chiu Hao-chi, seeing a large group of media waiting at the courthouse entrance, sprinted away to avoid them. Other celebrities declined to comment. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150616

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