Judicial Assistance Between Taiwan and U.K.　Facilitates Investigation on La Fayette Kickback Scandal.

U.K. has agreed to offer judicial assistance to Taiwan; Taiwan shall soon be able to request U.K. to search and detain evidence or other things on behalf of the Taiwanese courts.  This move will facilitate Taiwan’s investigation on the kickback scandal of La Fayette.  It is also a new step forward towards the establishment of international judicial assistance.  The deputy director of British Trade and Culture Office in Taiwan (BTCO), Mr. Rod Bunten, said that the “Crime Act” was passed in Britain in April this year.  U.K. is willing to sign the application of judicial assistance that engages in criminal cases, and through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) offers its judicial assistance to allied countries without having to make an agreement; since the Act does not emphasize on the reciprocal dependence.  The assistance offered in accordance with the said Act contains services of process, investigation on others’ behalf, search, and detention; the exception will be long distance interrogation of people other than defendants. As for British suspects, who are accused of being involved in crimes in Taiwan, they may leave the jail for a short period of time coming to Taiwan for their trials. (2004.7)

CYJ/SH