Detention Warrant Denied for Civic Group Leader Who Produced 'Election Fraud Banner'
"No risk of destroying evidence or fleeing,"
Head of minor party Naeillo Miraero absent from warrant review
The police attempted to take a civic group leader into custody on suspicion of producing banners that incite anti-China sentiment and allegations of election fraud using illegal political funds, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
On the afternoon of July 7, Kim Ji-hyun, presiding judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Southern District Court, conducted a pretrial detention hearing for Mr. Kim, head of Aeguk Banners, who is suspected of violating the Political Funds Act. After the hearing, the court denied the request for a detention warrant.
Judge Kim stated, "Although the suspect disputes the allegations, considering the evidence already secured, it is difficult to conclude there is a risk of destruction of evidence. Also, given the suspect's fixed residence, voluntary appearance before investigative authorities, and attitude during questioning, it is also difficult to determine there is a risk of flight."
Choi Chang-won, head of Naeillo Miraero (now Pro-America Alliance), who faced the same charges and also had a detention warrant requested, did not appear at the warrant review on this day. The court has rescheduled the hearing for 10:30 a.m. on July 9.
Kim and others are suspected of receiving political funds through unreported accounts. Part of these funds was reportedly used to produce banners containing anti-China expressions or content inciting suspicions of election fraud.
Previously, the National Election Commission filed a complaint alleging that Naeillo Miraero received political funds through unreported accounts and produced and posted banners inciting anti-China sentiment and election fraud conspiracy theories. In January of this year, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a search and seizure operation at the home of Mr. Kim in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
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The Aeguk Banners side stated via social media at the time of the search and seizure, "Going forward, please do not deposit sponsorship funds for Aeguk Banners under the name of Naeillo Miraero." Regarding the allegation of violating the Political Funds Act, they argued, "We have fully cooperated with the investigation, but the authorities even seized our home PC," claiming unfair treatment.
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