The Transitional Justice Commission says that Taiwan’s secret police were involved in the mysterious death of a university professor nearly 40 years ago.
They say that the professor -- Chen Wen-chen -- who authorities said had committed suicide, was likely murdered.
The truth behind the 1981 death of Chen Wen-chen has proven so elusive that it was once made into a Hollywood movie.
At the time of his death, secret police said that Chen committed suicide. But now, the Transitional Justice Commission says he was probably murdered. Newly declassified files helped them come to four conclusions.
Officials say that Chen’s phone number in the United States was closely monitored by the secret police.
The secret police said they sent Chen home right after they questioned him. But the Transitional Justice Commission said it took them an hour to send him to his home just two kilometers away.
Officials say Chen’s body was moved after sustaining a fatal injury to his back, suggesting that he was probably murdered.
The Transitional Justice Commission says a coverup is entirely possible, because the secret police were in charge of the initial investigation.
Nearly 40 years after the death of Chen Wen-chen, officials say that the secret police were likely involved in his murder. The commission will continue working to uncover more details that can help shed light on the case.