TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Taiwan High Court on Thursday sentenced three members of the Chinese Unification Promotion Party to prison sentences from six months to one year for spying for China.

Appeals against the verdicts by the Kaohsiung branch of the High Court are possible, per CNA. Members of the party founded by Chang An-le (張安樂), a former senior figure in organized crime also known as the “White Wolf,” have been involved in several run-ins with the law, leading to the government considering to have it banned.

To boost his business interests in China, a party deputy secretary general surnamed Wen (溫) agreed with Chinese intelligence agents to recruit serving and retired military officers as spies. Former Navy Lieutenant Chu (朱) and retired Air Force Colonel Chiang (江) accepted Wen’s invitation to visit China and also joined his party.

In 2019, Chiang approached an officer serving at the Taipei Songshan Airport’s military base with offers of promotion, travel, and money, but he refused.

The High Court sentenced Wen to 10 months in prison for breaking the National Security Act. Chu received six months and Chiang one year, with each of the three defendants fined NT$50,000 (US$1,500).

They could reduce their prison terms by paying N$1,000 per day. Wen and Chu received lighter sentences because they pleaded guilty, the court said.