By Sean Lin / Staff reporterLawmakers yesterday tightened rules in the Criminal Code related to violence and coercion perpetrated as a collective action, while stiffening penalties on offenders who wield weapons in such acts. The amendments were introduced in the wake of a host of violent incidents in March in central and southern Taiwan that involved street melees. However, the prison term for leaders and enforcers of violence or coercion remain unchanged at six months to five years. People who wield weapons or other dangerous items while attempting to carry out acts of violence or coercion, or whose actions jeopardize public safety or disrupt traffic, would face a 1.5 times longer prison term, the amendments say. The defendant should review the urban plan within two months of a lawsuit being filed to ascertain whether the plan conforms to the law, the amendments say.
