Introduction: Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has disclosed that the country has received 28 terroristic threats, including bomb and shooting threats, after the screening of the documentary State Organs that critically examines China’s practices of forced organ harvesting.
Threats to Movie Theaters Nationwide: Since the film’s release in October, several movie theaters across Taiwan have been targeted with threatening emails. The NSB reports that these emails included explicit warnings of explosions or shootings at the theaters unless they stopped screening the documentary. The government has responded by bolstering security around cinemas, particularly in major cities like Taipei, New Taipei, and Kaohsiung.
The documentary, directed by Raymond Zhang, delves into the controversial issue of forced organ harvesting by the Chinese government, a topic that has been widely condemned by human rights organizations.
Film’s Recognition and Impact: The documentary State Organs has received significant international attention, winning awards at the Leo Awards and the Manhattan Film Festival. It was also an official contender for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards. Despite its critical message, the film continues to be shown in Taiwan, sparking both acclaim and controversy.
Investigations and International Reach: The NSB suspects that the threats are the work of “cyber warriors” affiliated with the Chinese government. According to the National Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, the threatening emails were traced to multiple overseas locations, including France, Poland, the United States, and several countries in Asia and Europe. The use of virtual private network (VPN) software suggests that the perpetrators aimed to obscure their locations and avoid detection.
Taiwan’s Legislative Response: In response to the escalating threats, Taiwan’s Legislature has scheduled a committee hearing on the challenges of screening State Organs in Taiwan and China’s increasing influence on Taiwanese media. The NSB has submitted a detailed report to the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, which will examine Taiwan’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and counter Chinese “long-arm jurisdiction” strategies.
Table of Key Details:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Documentary Title | State Organs |
| Director | Raymond Zhang |
| Length of Film | 1 hour and 15 minutes |
| Film’s Awards | Leo Awards, Manhattan Film Festival, Academy Awards contender |
| Number of Threats | 28 bomb and shooting threats |
| Affected Locations | Movie theaters in Taipei, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, and more |
| Countries Linked to Threats | France, Poland, USA, China, Germany, Hong Kong, UK, Thailand, and more |
| NSB’s Investigation | Traced to overseas IP addresses, suspected use of VPNs |
FAQ Section:
- What is the documentary State Organs about?
- The documentary exposes the practice of forced organ harvesting by the Chinese government, which has been widely criticized by human rights groups globally.
- How did Taiwan respond to the threats?
- The Taiwanese government increased security at theaters showing the film and launched an investigation into the sources of the threats.
- Where did the threats originate from?
- The threats were traced to multiple countries, including China, France, the United States, and others, with the use of VPN technology to hide the true locations.
- What is the role of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) in this situation?
- The NSB is investigating the threats and coordinating with local law enforcement to enhance security around the targeted theaters.
