Taipei police arrest man for false MRT terror threat

Police in Taipei arrested a 29-year-old man in Keelung within seven hours of a false report claiming a terrorist attack would occur at the Jiantan MRT station. The suspect used a public telephone at the station to claim that individuals in a Telegram group were planning a ‘Zhang Wen-style’ attack on the metro system.

In response to the threat, the Shilin Police Division formed a task force, deploying over 20 officers with firearms to enhance security at Jiantan Station and surrounding public transport hubs. Investigators tracked the suspect through surveillance footage, observing him wearing a black hat, mask, and gloves before he fled via bus to Keelung.

Upon searching the suspect's mobile phone, authorities found no evidence of the alleged Telegram group or any related terrorist communications, confirming the report was fabricated. The suspect's family noted he has a history of taking medication. He has been referred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of public intimidation under the Criminal Code.