A mystic cult leader who gained fame for his claim that he could be in two places at one time and counted Premier Frank Hsieh as one of his followers, was found not guilty of defrauding his flock on Tuesday by a panel of High Court judges.

Here we go again. Sung Chi-li, a cult leader who claims to have supernatural powers, alleged not long ago he took his follower Premier Frank Hsieh on a tour of Paris without both of them leaving Taiwan. The guru, to whom Hsieh knelt to ask for a blessing for his election as mayor of Kaohsiung seven years ago, is known for his vaunted levitation and manifestations, which he calls a "split body." He used to claim he could appear in more than one place at a time. Now he is saying he could take someone along with him when he visited somewhere else without leaving where he was.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - A Taiwanese spiritual leader said on Thursday he had used his magical powers to take the island's new premier on a tour of Paris without going there physically.

The China Post (Taiwan), July 12, 2003

Taipei Times, July 10, 2003

REVERSE RULING: Judges decided that although Sung Chi-li claimed he had supernatural powers, his practices were protected by the freedom of religion

THE REAL ARTICLE?: Even though Sung Chi-li, a religious leader, has been convicted of fraud, Yu Fang-chih says both she and her husband believe in the man's divine powers

The China Post (Taiwan), Dec. 11, 2002