Taiwan police arrest 4 over copycat threats following Taipei mass stabbing

Taiwanese police have arrested four people for allegedly making copycat threats online after last Friday’s mass stabbing in Taipei, with over 20 threatening messages posted.

After the attack by Chang Wen that left three dead and 11 injured before he died by falling, a post on Threads threatened a "bigger incident" at Kaohsiung Railway Station on December 25. Police arrested a male university student surnamed Chen in Kaohsiung in connection with the post.

Chen, an electrical engineering student, was detained on Saturday. He denied intimidation, said he did not know Zhang Wen, and claimed he reposted the content to alert the public. Prosecutors said he is suspected of threatening public safety and set bail at NT$50,000 (approximately HK$1,250).

By Saturday noon, around 20 messages threatening violence or "indiscriminate attacks" had surfaced online. Police arrested three other individuals for suspected threats to public safety.

Police have increased patrols at MRT stations, light rail stations and transport hubs following the attack. A special task force has been established to swiftly investigate online threats and incitement to violence.