Taiwan prosecutors have charged a retired general and five others with helping China try to sway local elections, releasing them on bail with travel bans.

• Kaohsiung prosecutors searched 14 locations and questioned 22 people after a tip from Taiwan's investigation bureau about foreign interference in an upcoming local election.
• Retired Major General Tsang You-hsia, head of a cross-strait cultural group, was granted bail for roughly $22,000 and barred from leaving Taiwan, with prosecutors saying the case against him is strong.
• Five other suspects were released on smaller bail amounts with the same travel restrictions.
• Prosecutors say Tsang knowingly worked with a Chinese alumni group directly run by Beijing's United Front agency, arranging free China trips for Taiwanese voters paid for by the Chinese side.
• The group allegedly also funded dinners in Taiwan this year pressuring attendees to back certain candidates and oppose pro-independence politicians ahead of next year's local elections.

Outlook: Expect the investigation to widen, with more questioning and possible charges as prosecutors build the case before the 2026 local elections.