China ‘seizes’ eight Taiwanese from Kenya

China ‘seizes’ eight Taiwanese from Kenya

Taiwan has accused China of “extrajudicial abduction” after eight Taiwanese acquitted of fraud in Kenya were deported to mainland China.

They were among a group of suspects acquitted in Kenya last week.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry says they were forcibly put on a China-bound plane and has demanded their release.

China has not responded in detail to the allegations, but has criticised Taiwan for not considering itself as part of “one China”.

The incident comes as cross-strait relations are feared to be entering a rocky period, say the BBC’s Cindy Sui in Taipei.

‘Gross violation’

Taiwan said the eight were among 23 Taiwanese people who were accused in Kenya of being members of a telephone fraud ring, which also included Chinese nationals.

They were arrested in Kenya at the end of last year and charged with illegal entry and telecommunications fraud.READ MORE