2018/05/04
The Army Command issued press release to explain “The Army illegally forced 200 members to conduct polygraph”
In response to the media report that “The Army illegally forced 200 members to conduct polygraph”, the Army Command responded today (4th) that the administrative method and process of the leakage of Flight Training Department helicopter video and its violation of information safety regulations is comply with laws and regulations, and the media report is inconsistent with the fact, the clarification is as follows:
1. The army conducted investigation in accordance with Administrative Procedure Law and Armed Forces Punishment Act, with regard to 25 people of the Flight Training Department that have accessed the video, we checked their mobile phone with their consent, and 3 people further investigation, but only two of them agree to conduct mobile phone information recovery. The report that “almost 200 people turn their mobile phones over for recovery and identification” is inconsistent with the fact.
2. The project team of the army go to the department and meet with 4 people and conduct scientific investigation to them at April 27, with the consent of 3 of them. The report that “Intensive and mandatory polygraph have paralyzed flight safety” is inconsistent with the fact.
3. With the occurrence of the case, all levels of officials of the Army Command went to units to conduct work guidance and called pilots for consolation and reviewed their internal unit management and the flight and information safety work for improvement. The media indicated that generals have warned that the refusing of turning over their mobile phones or accepting polygraph is “questionable with loyalty” or “unqualified for flight” is inconsistent with the fact.
The Army Command stated that the video leakage of the Flight Training Department is not only an information safety incident, but also a serious issue related to military safety. During that period, the administrative investigation of few people involved (with their consent) is consistent with laws and regulations, and there was absolutely no “illegal force”. They appealed the media to fulfill the responsibility of “public instrument” to avoid public misunderstandings.
The Army Command emphasized that upon the completion of administrative investigation, the case will be handled according with laws with no mercy to protect information safety and ensure military safety.