Taiwanese prosecutors have extended detention for two aides to lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei, who are accused of using Chinese money to set up an organization in Taiwan.

• A court approved a two-month extension of detention, without visitation rights, starting November 9 for aides Lin Yi-chun and Chen Chih-jung.
• Prosecutors say the two, along with a fugitive suspect, took funds from China to build a political organization in Taiwan, violating national security law.
• The case grew out of a separate corruption probe into Kao Chin Su-mei over misuse of staff expense funds; the fugitive suspect had been free on bail wearing an electronic tracking bracelet before cutting it off and fleeing by boat.
• Kao Chin Su-mei herself was questioned as a suspect and barred from leaving Taiwan, though not detained.
• Authorities are now searching for boats and crew suspected of helping the fugitive escape, and are still tracing where the Chinese funds came from and who else was involved.

Outlook: Investigators are expected to keep expanding the case, chasing both the escape network and the money trail back to China.