TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Justice (法務部) announced on Friday (Jan. 17) that the execution of death row inmate Huang Lin-kai (黃麟凱) by shooting a day earlier followed the law to achieve justice and emphasized the stringent and careful procedures involved. The execution marked the first execution during President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) tenure. It follows the Constitutional Court's (憲法法庭) September 2024 ruling that death sentences are conditionally constitutional.
Justice Minister Cheng Ming-chien (鄭銘謙) cited the severity and brutality of Huang's crimes as aligning with the constitutional court's directives for the most rigorous judicial process. Deputy Justice Minister Huang Mou-hsin (黃謀信) confirmed that the execution adhered to the "Prison Act" (監獄行刑法) and death penalty regulations, dismissing any political considerations. Huang added that inmates have the option to leave audio or video messages before execution, though these remain confidential.
Regarding the 36 death row inmates awaiting execution, Huang stated that the prosecutor general at the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office (最高檢察署) will conduct reviews as mandated by the constitutional court, with the ministry respecting the outcomes. When questioned about potential political motives behind the execution, Huang reiterated that the process followed the "Code of Criminal Procedure" (刑事訴訟法) and death penalty rules, denying any political influence.