TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was detained incommunicado on Thursday (Sept. 5), leaving unanswered questions about his party’s leadership.

The TPP admitted that Ko faces a “long-term battle” over a corruption investigation relating to a scheme that allegedly supported a property development in exchange for cash when he was Taipei's mayor. Ko's detention was set for an undetermined time and reportedly could last up to two months.

After Ko was taken into custody, TPP caucus leader Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) told reporters that an emergency response team was formed and held its first meeting, per CNA. The team is expected to meet again on Friday (Sept. 6) to announce further decisions regarding the party’s leadership, Huang said.

Ko was detained after the Taipei District Court decided there were grounds to believe he was aware of the alleged corruption scheme, overturning its previous decision to release him. At the time of his detention, Ko had temporarily stepped down as party leader due to an unrelated investigation into campaign donations.

CNA reported that immediately before Ko was taken into custody, he told TPP Secretary General Chou Yu-hsiu (周榆修) that “party affairs must be stabilized,” but did not give specifics about the party’s future leadership. The TPP released a video after Ko was detained in which he reassured party members, but did not comment on leadership matters.

The TPP has rallied around Ko and maintains he is innocent. Asked whether the party would call on grassroots supporters to take to the streets and oppose the court’s decision, TPP Legislator Wu Chun-cheng (吳春城) said the issue would be left to the party leadership.