Taiwanese celebrities caught up in military conscription evasion scandal
Authorities in
Taiwan are investigating a cluster of cases involving local artists accused of evading the island's compulsory
military service , with nearly a dozen entertainers swept up in coordinated police raids on Wednesday, according to local media reports.
The interior ministry said that 11 celebrities were detained in the raids early on Wednesday, which were part of an investigation into broader allegations that a criminal syndicate has been orchestrating schemes to help male residents avoid conscription.
The entertainers included the singers Nine Chen and Daniel Chen, as well as Jushe Lee, drummer with local band Choc7, William Liao from the boy band Lollipop, and comedian Daikon Huang Liang Jun.
Liao, the former Lollipop member, posted a photograph on social media of himself reporting to the local police station, saying that he was 'cooperating voluntarily'.
The investigation into conscription evasion has intensified as Taipei steps up efforts to bolster the island's defence while Beijing has increased its military pressure in the Taiwan Strait.
Responding to questions from Taiwan's legislators on Wednesday, the director general of the Department of Conscription Administration Shen Che-fang said investigations last year identified 11 entertainers among 120 people accused of evading conscription.
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