Taiwan angers China by releasing 20 telecoms fraud suspects deported from Malaysia

Masked alleged fraud suspects are escorted by policemen as they arrive at Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan, on April 15, 2016.PHOTO: AFP.

SHANGHAI/TAIPEI: Taiwan angered Beijing on Saturday (April 16) by freeing 20 suspects in a telecoms fraud case linked to China that were deported from Malaysia, in a case that has put more pressure on the sensitive relationship between the two countries.

Malaysia had deported the 20 people, who were part of a group of 53 Taiwanese arrested there in March on suspicion of fraud, according to the Taipei Foreign Ministry.