TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Three retired officers from the Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) were sentenced to prison Friday (Sept. 6) for forming a spy ring to collect sensitive information on China’s behalf.

The Taipei District Court verdicts can still be appealed, per CNA. Former Major General Yueh Chih-chung (岳志忠) was sentenced to 10 months in jail, retired Colonel Chang Chao-jan (張超然) received a prison term of 18 months, and ex-Colonel Chou Tien-tzu (周天慈) was sentenced to 14 months. Ex-Colonel Wang Ta-wang (王大旺) was found not guilty.

Chang, Chou, and Yueh received benefits from China for doing business there, and also received money, and were invited on free trips, according to prosecutors. A national security official in the Chinese province of Guangdong reportedly told them to form a spy ring and collect secret information.

Chang was accused of arranging a trip to China for Wang, who revealed personal background information about colleagues to the Chinese official. 

After completing their investigation, prosecutors decided to charge the suspects with breaking the National Security Act by forming a spy organization and the National Intelligence Work Act by leaking secrets.