TAIPEI, April 21 -- Taiwan's judicial authorities have detained 18 telecom fraud suspects and slapped a travel ban on two more.

Taichung District Court issued the ruling early Thursday after Taichung District Prosecutors Office on Wednesday summoned the 20 suspects, who were released on April 16 by Taiwan Police due to an alleged lack of evidence.

Prosecutors have obtained evidence from Malaysia, which is sufficient to impose compulsory measures on the suspects, said the office.

The decision to release the suspects last Saturday was met with criticism from media outlets and the public.