A court ruling on compensation for participants in the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement has drawn backlash from officials.
The Sunflower Student Movement was a protest against the passing of a cross-strait trade pact. Some of the protesters forced their way into the Legislatures, which led to confrontations with the police. A total of 20 people later filed lawsuits, claiming that they were handled roughly by police officers during these clashes.
The Taipei District Court ruled Thursday that the Taipei City Police Department must provide a total of NT$1.1 million (US$36,000) in compensation to 14 of the plaintiffs. The police department has acknowledged the verdict, but says it plans to appeal.
Sun Ta-chien, deputy campaign director for KMT Presidential Candidate Han Kuo-yu, also weighed in on the ruling. He said the court’s decision legitimizes violence and the crippling of government departments and public infrastructure as a means of protest. He says the Taipei police department should file an appeal to protect the dignity of police officers.
Meanwhile, Taipei Mayor Ko-je says that he respects the court’s ruling, but that officers were simply following orders and should not be held entirely responsible. He says those who gave orders to the officers should be subject to investigation.