🎭 Taipei Prosecutors Appeal Nono’s Acquittal on Multiple Sexual Offense Charges
In a case that continues to draw nationwide attention, Taipei prosecutors on Wednesday formally appealed a district court ruling that acquitted Taiwanese TV personality Nono (real name: Chen Hsuan-yu, 陳宣裕) of six out of seven charges involving sexual assault and indecent behavior.
The Taiwan Shilin District Court earlier this month found Nono guilty of one count of attempted forcible intercourse and sentenced him to 30 months in prison. However, the court cleared him of three counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, and two counts of forcible indecency, citing insufficient evidence.
Prosecutors say the court’s decision contains legal and factual flaws, and they are seeking a reexamination in a higher court.
📜 Case Background: From Social Media Accusations to Criminal Charges
The case first emerged publicly in mid-2023, when a woman posted allegations on Facebook claiming that Nono made unwanted sexual advances. This initial accusation led to a wave of women stepping forward with similar claims, eventually prompting a formal investigation by the Shilin District Prosecutors Office.
In May 2024, Nono was formally indicted on seven charges, including:
- 3 counts of rape
- 2 counts of attempted rape
- 2 counts of forcible indecency
The court conducted a closed trial—standard in sexual assault cases—to protect victim privacy and minimize media influence on judicial proceedings. The trial lasted nearly a year.
⚖️ Court’s Decision: One Conviction, Six Acquittals
✅ Convicted:
- Charge: Attempted forcible intercourse
- Sentence: 30 months in prison
- Incident: Occurred in 2011, involving a woman Nono met during a TV program shoot. He allegedly lured her into his car, drove her to a secluded riverside carpark in Dadaocheng, and attempted to force himself on her. The woman resisted, and the attempt was ultimately unsuccessful.
The court found the victim’s testimony credible, citing consistency in her narrative and her immediate psychological distress post-incident.
❌ Acquitted:
- Six other charges were dismissed due to “insufficient corroborative evidence.” These included incidents that allegedly occurred between 2009 and 2018 involving different women from the entertainment industry and public relations sectors.
🧠 Original Insight: Why Prosecutors Are Appealing
Legal experts suggest that the appeal represents more than a procedural formality—it’s a test of Taiwan’s legal system when adjudicating sexual violence cases involving celebrities.
Taiwanese law places high evidentiary standards on proving sexual assault, which often creates hurdles for victims, especially in cases:
- Without physical evidence due to reporting delays
- Involving power imbalances, such as between a celebrity and an aspiring professional
- Where victim trauma leads to memory gaps or delayed testimony
Prosecutors argue that pattern behavior, victim consistency, and psychological evaluations should carry more weight in court.
“This appeal isn’t just about Nono; it’s about closing the gap in how we treat sexual assault survivors in court,” said Lin Hsuan-lin, a Taipei-based criminal justice researcher.
🚨 Public Reaction: Divided Opinion, But Growing Awareness
The case has revived Taiwan’s ongoing discourse around the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in 2023 when multiple public figures—including political aides, actors, and influencers—faced allegations.
While some online users have defended Nono, others argue the court’s decision reflects a systemic failure to protect victims.
Advocacy groups like Women’s Awakening Foundation are urging reforms, including:
- Extending statute of limitations for sexual crimes
- Broadening definitions of consent
- Increasing trauma-informed judicial training
📌 What’s Next?
With the appeal filed, the case now moves to the Taiwan High Court, which will review the evidence and trial transcripts. If the higher court finds merit, it could:
- Order a retrial on the six acquitted charges
- Uphold the lower court’s ruling
- Modify sentencing based on broader review
The timeline for the appeal process could range from several months to over a year.
❓ FAQs
What is Nono being accused of?
He was indicted on seven charges including rape, attempted rape, and forcible indecency involving six different women, but was only convicted on one.
Why did the court acquit him on most charges?
The court cited “insufficient evidence” in six of the seven allegations, often due to a lack of physical proof or gaps in timelines.
What does the appeal mean?
Prosecutors believe the district court misjudged the credibility of victims and mishandled key parts of the trial. The appeal seeks to reinstate the other charges.
Is Nono in jail now?
As of now, he is not yet serving the sentence, as the verdict is still subject to appeal and is not final.
Why is this case important?
It highlights Taiwan’s challenges in prosecuting sexual violence cases involving powerful individuals and has reignited public calls for judicial and cultural reform.
