Fugitive arrested after broad daylight assault at Taipei Main Station, reported by Malaysian student
A fugitive was arrested after allegedly assaulting an intoxicated Hong Kong woman in broad daylight inside Taipei Main Station — a crime witnessed and reported by a Malaysian student, sparking public outrage and calls for stronger safety measures.
- A 44-year-old wanted man allegedly assaulted an intoxicated Hong Kong woman inside Taipei Main Station.
- A Malaysian student witnessed and reported the assault, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
- The case sparked outrage, prompting tighter station patrols and calls to improve public vigilance.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Authorities in Taiwan have arrested a 44-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated Hong Kong woman inside Taipei Main Station on 9 October, during the Double Tenth holiday travel rush.
The assault allegedly took place near the East 1 entrance wall of the main hall around 4 pm and went on for about ten minutes before being stopped.
Malaysian Student Reported the Crime
A Malaysian student, who was waiting for friends on the station’s second floor, noticed the man dragging a woman toward the wall and immediately sensed something was wrong.
He began recording the scene as evidence and, with help from a Taiwanese friend, called the police emergency line. Both later filed a report with the Railway Police Bureau’s Taipei branch.
At the time, the main hall was crowded with tourists and even some homeless individuals seeking shelter — yet no one appeared to notice or intervene as the assault unfolded in plain sight, the student recalled.
Suspect Wanted for Previous Crimes
Police later arrested the suspect, identified by his surname Chiu, who was already wanted for earlier theft cases.
In 2024, he had stolen a truck and later an electric scooter in Taoyuan. He was sentenced to six months in prison but failed to serve his term, resulting in a warrant for his arrest.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office confirmed that Chiu has now been formally charged with “sexual intercourse by exploiting opportunity” and is being detained for investigation under the women and children protection unit.
Victim Presses Charges
After regaining sobriety, the victim reportedly went to a hospital for medical examination and decided to press charges against the suspect.
Authorities Tighten Security
In response to public concern, the Railway Police Bureau announced that patrol frequency at Taipei Main Station has been increased from twice every two hours to at least three times, ensuring 24-hour monitoring across the station.
Public outrage over bystander inaction
The case has sparked widespread outrage across Taiwan, with many questioning how such an assault could occur — unchallenged — in the middle of the day inside a crowded train station.
A police officer familiar with Taipei Main Station said the concourse often attracts individuals seeking shelter or resting while intoxicated, making it difficult for passersby to distinguish between those in distress and those merely resting. As both the suspect and victim appeared disheveled, many commuters likely assumed they were homeless and knew each other.
Advocates call for accountability and reform
In a joint statement, the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation and Judicial Reform Foundation condemned the attack and urged the city government to strengthen safety measures in public spaces. They called for emergency call buttons, clearer reporting channels, and faster police response systems.
According to The Taipei Times, both groups also appealed to the public and media not to share footage or CCTV stills from the incident, warning that it could inflict secondary trauma on the victim and fuel victim-blaming rhetoric.
They further called on social media platforms to remove harmful comments and urged the government to promote bystander intervention — encouraging people to call out suspicious acts, alert station staff, or contact authorities.
