TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A Taiwanese businessman and two retired officers had their detention approved by a court Friday (May 10) on suspicion of spying for China.

Chinese security officials allegedly asked the businessperson, surnamed Wen (溫), to invite retired military officers over to China for meetings, per CNA. A former officer named Chu (朱) agreed first and then recruited Chiang (江) to join him, Kaohsiung prosecutors said.

During a visit to China, the three reportedly agreed to expand their organization and persuade more serving and retired officers to join and provide information to Beijing. After completing their investigation, prosecutors raided Wen’s home Thursday (May 9) and detained all three suspects.

While they all denied the allegations, the investigators said they were highly likely to have broken the National Security Act. 

In order to prevent them from fleeing the country or from colluding, the prosecutors wanted them to be held incommunicado. The Kaohsiung branch of the Taiwan High Court approved the request Friday morning.