Originally Posted by
CaptainMiles
I don't get it.
A passport is required to travel. By annulling the passport, the person no longer has a valid passport to travel. No sane airline would allow someone to board without a passport, or with a passport that has been voided at the Interpol level. So he couldn't travel and would have to stay in Taiwan, probably seek asylum there. Isn't this exactly the opposite of what the government intends?
Now, it would make sense if they would revoke the passport while he was in the US, to prevent from leaving. But to revoke while outside seems counterproductive.
The Taiwanese government arrested the perp and most likely accompanied him on a direct flight back to the states where he was turned over to federal authorties. No passport needed. Further, if a passport was needed in such circumstances the consulate can provide a passport that is good for a single transit.