Fresh hope for Taiwan prisoner
Print Edition
Taiwan’s longest-serving death row prisoner, who said he confessed after being tortured, could be given a last chance of freedom in a case that has sparked criticism from rights groups.
Lawyers for Chiou Ho-shun, 55, who has been on death row since 1989, on Tuesday lodged a motion for a retrial at the High Court in Taipei after two retired police officers backed his torture claims.
The officers presented their evidence to the top government watchdog in 2013 and that body recommended an “extraordinary appeal” to prosecutors.
But the appeal was rejected late last year, prompting rights group Judicial Reform Foundation to seek a retrial.
Chiou was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering a 6-year-old boy and robbing and killing a woman, but said he retracted his confession immediately after his interrogation.
Chiou has said he was beaten, given electric shocks, forced to sit on ice and held blindfolded in a small cell during a monthlong police investigation.
His appeals have been repeatedly rejected, with the High Court giving a final ruling three years ago that his death sentence should stand. The two retired police officers came forward after that ruling.
“I felt it would not be right to see him executed,” said one of the officers, surnamed Wu, who was one of more than 20 who worked on the case.
“Chiou was tortured to confess, but many details of his confessions did not match the police evidence and those of the other suspects,” Wu said.
The foundation said time is running out for Chiou as his health is deteriorating.
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