Sun An-tso Detained and Held Incommunicado for Allegedly Testing Homemade Flamethrower; Risk of Collusion Cited as Accomplice Remains at Large

(CNA, Taipei, May 17, by reporter Hsieh Chun-lin) Sun An-tso (now named Sun Chien-hao), son of actor Sun Peng, and a man surnamed Chen were suspected of testing a homemade flamethrower by a riverbank and posting a video of it. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office yesterday searched and arrested the two, requested the detention and incommunicado holding of Sun An-tso, and ordered Chen to be released on NT$30,000 bail. The Shilin District Court today ruled to detain and hold Sun An-tso incommunicado. The Shilin District Court's ruling stated that after questioning, there is sufficient reason to believe Sun An-tso is a major suspect in offenses including public intimidation under the Criminal Code, endangering public traffic by other means, unauthorized possession of a non-standard shotgun under the Controlling Guns, Ammunition and Knives Act, and illegal possession of a replica gun under the same act. According to the ruling, the case is in the investigation stage. Based on case files, there are other witnesses and accomplices who have not yet been brought in and require further investigation and clarification. Considering Sun's relationship with related accomplices or witnesses, and the convenience, speed, and privacy of modern communication technology, it cannot be ruled out that Sun would collude with witnesses or accomplices if not detained and held incommunicado. Therefore, before the investigation is complete, there is factual basis to believe that Sun may collude with others or destroy evidence, fulfilling the legal grounds for detention under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The ruling stated that the court weighed the public interest of effectively exercising criminal judicial power, ensuring the smooth conduct of subsequent trial procedures, and maintaining social order against the degree of interference with Sun's personal liberty. Considering the grounds for detention, the possibility of destroying evidence and colluding with accomplices or witnesses cannot be effectively prevented by alternative measures such as bail or restricted residence. Thus, detention is deemed proportionate and necessary. Sun An-tso is to be detained for two months starting today and is prohibited from receiving visitors or correspondence. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office issued a press release yesterday stating that a video recently circulated on social media showing individuals using a flamethrower device by a riverside. Due to the dangerous nature of the footage and suspected intentional dissemination, it severely affected public order and social tranquility. On the 16th, the Shilin Prosecutors Office directed the police to search the residences of Sun An-tso and Chen, seizing a shoulder-mounted flamethrower, fuel lines, industrial-grade flammable gas steel safety storage cans, a modified shotgun, a replica gun, and marijuana, and arrested the two individuals. After questioning, prosecutors determined that Sun is a major suspect in multiple offenses, including public intimidation, attempted arson, endangering land traffic by other means, and possession of a lethal firearm and a prohibited replica gun under the Controlling Guns, Ammunition and Knives Act. With sufficient reason to believe he might flee, destroy evidence, collude with accomplices and witnesses, or re-offend, prosecutors successfully applied to the court for his detention and incommunicado holding. Additionally, Chen is suspected of public intimidation, endangering land traffic by other means, and the use and possession of a Category 2 narcotic under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act. He was released on NT$30,000 bail with restricted residence and is barred from leaving the country.