Taiwan beheading suspect beaten by angry mob

Image
AFP Taipei
Last Updated : Mar 29 2016 | 3:42 PM IST
A man suspected of decapitating a four-year-old girl was beaten by an angry mob as he was detained in Taiwan, with parliament saying it would debate tougher sentences for child-killers following the shocking crime.
The killer grabbed the child from behind as she cycled to a metro station in Taipei with her mother to meet relatives on Monday, police said.
Pushing away the mother of the girl, who had rushed forward to save her daughter, he beheaded the child with a kitchen knife.
Seven bystanders were unable to stop the man, who was arrested at the scene, police added.
The girl has been identified only by the surname Liu.
Police said the suspect, a 33-year-old man surnamed Wang, had been arrested in the past over drug-related crimes.
Taiwan's Apple Daily reported that he was unemployed and living with his parents, and had previously been hospitalised with mental health issues.
The case, the second child killing in Taipei in less than a year, has sparked widespread public anger and criticism of calls to abolish the death penalty.
Following the attack, parliament announced today it would bring forward a review of a bill that would ensure those convicted of killing children under 12 were given the death penalty, and at minimum a life sentence in the case of severe mental illness.
The review will now take place on Thursday, according to lawmaker Wang Yu-min, who proposed the bill.
"I am deeply saddened by the case ... (the suspect) should be sentenced to death in the case of a stranger killing a child," Wang said in a statement posted on Facebook.
The White Rose Social Care Association is planning to hold a mass rally in Taipei on April 9 to push for enforcement of capital punishment in the wake of the crime.
"This kind of random killing shows that Taiwan cannot afford to abolish the death penalty," said Eva Liang, chairwoman of the association.
"Since Taiwan seldom enforces death sentences now, the criminals are not afraid and similar crimes keep happening."
Television footage yesterday showed dozens of angry people gathering outside a police station in Taipei.
Some attacked the suspect as he was being transferred to the prosecutor's office for questioning. He pleaded with them to "stop beating".
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 29 2016 | 3:42 PM IST

Next Story