Security scare hits Taiwan election

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Supporters wave flags awaiting for Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou as he campaigns for re-election in Tamsui district, New Taipei city.

TAIPEI, Jan 11, (AFP): Taiwan increased security for presidential election candidates Wednesday after a gun scare around opposition hopeful Tsai Ing-wen who is vying to be the island's first female president, police said.
Officers in the central city of Taichung arrested a man after they found him sitting with the weapon in his car, parked along a route planned for Tsai's campaign motorcade, police said.
The man, identified as 34-year-old Tai Kuo-feng, explained that the gun, a potentially lethal modified air gun, was for sports purposes, and he was later released, according to police.
"An initial investigation showed the suspect had no political affiliation," Lee Chen-liang, a Taichung police captain, told AFP.
The incident-happening just days ahead of Saturday's presidential vote-sent jitters through the police force, and immediately led to a decision to boost security for the candidates.