Taiwanese firms probed over explosive pagers linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon

Two individuals connected to Taiwanese companies have been questioned multiple times as part of an investigation into explosive pagers that detonated while being used by Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon, Taipei authorities confirmed on Friday.

The probe follows a series of deadly explosions on Tuesday and Wednesday that involved hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon, killing at least 37 people and injuring nearly 3,000. The incidents have led to questions and speculation about the source of the devices and how they were supplied to Hezbollah.

It has been reported earlier that Israel had allegedly inserted explosive materials into a shipment of pagers originating from Taiwan’s Gold Apollo, a claim that has sparked controversy.

However, Hsu Ching-kuang, head of Gold Apollo, has denied his company’s involvement, suggesting instead that the devices may have come from Hungary-based BAC Consulting KFT. Hsu stated that BAC had been allowed to use Gold Apollo’s trademark but emphasized that his company was not responsible for the production of the pagers in question.

On Thursday, as part of the ongoing probe by Taiwanese authorities, Hsu and a woman from a separate company were questioned by prosecutors. Local media identified the woman as Wu Yu-jen, a representative associated with BAC Consulting KFT. Wu had reportedly established a company called “Apollo Systems” in Taipei earlier this year.

“Our country takes the case very seriously,” said Taipei’s Shilin District Prosecutor’s Office in a statement on Friday. “We instructed the Investigation Bureau’s national security station to interview two people from Taiwanese companies as witnesses yesterday.”

The office also confirmed that multiple locations were searched as part of the investigation, including the New Taipei City office of Gold Apollo and the Taipei address of Apollo Systems, which local records show was established in April.

Both Hsu and Wu have remained silent on the matter. Hsu was seen being shuttled between his office and the prosecutor’s office on Thursday but declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. Wu also did not speak to reporters during her appearance for questioning, as captured by local TV footage.

Hsu’s company has maintained that the pager model mentioned in media reports was produced and sold by BAC Consulting KFT. However, a spokesperson for the Hungarian government distanced BAC from any direct manufacturing involvement, clarifying that BAC is “a trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary.”