Taipei: Four people have been released on bail by Taichung prosecutors for their alleged complicity in an insider trading case in 2021 that involved Largan Precision Co., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of smartphone camera lenses. The individuals include a manager from Largan, surnamed Yao, a staff member from Ability Opto-Electronics Technology Co., surnamed Yang, and two others identified as Lu and Liao, as confirmed by the Taichung District Prosecutors Office.

According to Focus Taiwan, Yao and Lu were each released on bail of NT$500,000 (US$15,361), while Yang and Liao were released on NT$150,000 bail. These four were among ten individuals questioned following raids conducted by prosecutors earlier in the day. The remaining six were released after questioning.

The statement reveals that the accused allegedly engaged in insider trading during a blackout period in 2021, having learned that the two companies had confirmed upcoming business moves. The case is linked to the resolution of a lengthy legal dispute over intellectual property infringement between Largan and Ability, which concluded in 2021 when Largan acquired a 15.2 percent stake in Ability for NT$598 million.

Prosecutors were alerted to the case by the Investigation Bureau in September 2024 and have since been conducting an ongoing investigation. Both companies, in separate statements, have asserted that the investigation has not affected their financial standing and have committed to cooperating fully with the authorities.