TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taipei Mayor and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was released by prosecutors on Monday (Sept. 2).
Over the weekend, Ko and former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲) were interrogated by prosecutors for alleged violations of the Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例) over their involvement in the Core Pacific City development project.
Early Monday morning, the Taipei District Court ruled that Ko should be released without bail, while Pong should be held in incommunicado, per CNA.
In May, the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into a surge in the floor area ratio of the Core Pacific City complex during Ko's tenure as mayor. It directed the Agency Against Corruption to gather evidence and question Pong, Taipei City Government officials, and former Taipei Urban Planning Commission members.
On Friday (Aug. 30), the Taipei District Prosecutors Office launched another investigation, conducting searches at seven locations. Ko and Pong were interrogated as defendants, while their wives, Chen Pei-chi (陳佩琪) and Hsieh Hsia-chiao (謝夏喬) were questioned as witnesses.
After questioning, Chen and Hsieh were released, while interrogations for Pong and Ko continued. In the early hours of Saturday (Aug. 31), Ko refused to continue with interrogations at night and attempted to leave, leading to his arrest by prosecutors.
Ko then petitioned the court for a habeas corpus hearing, which was denied, and he was returned to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for further questioning. Prosecutors argued that Ko had committed serious crimes and may destroy evidence or collude with others, and requested the court to detain him and hold him incommunicado.
On Sunday morning (Sept. 1), the Taipei District Court held a pre-trial review, allowing Ko, Pong, and their defense attorneys to review the case files and consult with their lawyers to discuss litigation strategies. At around 8 p.m., a detention hearing was held.
The judge first held a hearing for Ko and then questioned Pong. At around 3 a.m. Monday, the court ruled to release Ko without bail, while Pong was to be detained and held incommunicado.
The Taipei District Court found that the evidence presented by the prosecutor was insufficient to confirm strong suspicion of Ko's involvement in criminal activity, and therefore ruled early this morning to release him without bail. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office will file an appeal.
