TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese authorities have detained a CTiTV reporter and five active-duty and retired military personnel on suspicion of leaking military secrets to Chinese contacts, prosecutors said Saturday.

CTiTV reporter Lin Chen-yu (林宸佑) and the five servicemen were taken into custody after the Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office approved a request to hold them incommunicado for alleged violations of the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act. All six were transferred to the Kaohsiung Detention Center at about 8 p.m. Saturday, per CNA.

Prosecutors said Lin allegedly acted as a middleman in a scheme to obtain classified information for Chinese individuals. He is accused of contacting a Marine Corps officer surnamed Chen (陳), who was indicted for receiving NT$210,000 (US$6,640) to record a video pledging allegiance to China while holding a Chinese flag.

Investigators said Lin funneled money from his personal account in exchange for Chen’s actions and contacted other active-duty and retired servicemen to solicit classified intelligence for delivery to Chinese contacts. Prosecutors alleged the funding originated in China.

Lin is suspected of contacting a total of nine active-duty or retired military personnel facing financial difficulties, prosecutors said. Apart from the five individuals who have been detained, three have been released, and one remains uncontacted. 

CTiTV issued a statement on Friday, calling for a fair and just judicial process and denying reports that the company’s offices had been searched by prosecutors.

“We seek a fair trial and justice for all. God bless Taiwan. Reports that CTi was searched are untrue. We urge all parties to stop circulating false information,” the statement said.