TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇), a key player in a bribery case involving Core Pacific Group and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), was ordered to remain in detention for another two months by the Taipei District Court beginning Tuesday (Oct. 29). 

Ying has been in detention since Aug. 29, with her initial two-month term about to expire. A court ruling will extend her stay at the Taipei Detention Center based on documentary evidence, criminal suspicion, and testimony inconsistent with other witnesses, per UDN.

The court also found Ying at risk of interfering with the investigation, potentially colluding with witnesses to avoid or reduce her criminal liability. She was also considered a flight risk considering her significant financial assets were sufficient to live abroad for an extended period.

The court also ruled that Ying’s detention could not be replaced by bail or other means. Therefore, extending her detention was deemed necessary as witness testimony continued and material evidence still needed to be investigated.

Prosecutors claim Ying accepted bribes in violation of her position as Taipei City councilor. They charge that she along with Core Pacific Chair Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), committed crimes ranging from profiteering to money laundering to concealing property obtained from corruption. 

Ying stands accused of accepting NT$47.4 million (US$1.48 million) in bribes from the Core Pacific Group.

In a related case, the Taiwan High Court rejected Sheen's appeal to end his detention, per CNA. Sheen has repeatedly cited failing health as a basis for his release. Despite many doctor visits, including a 10-day hospitalization, the court found his appeal without merit.

The court ruled that Sheen did not need specific long-term medical care and his condition did not significantly differ or deteriorate compared to previous health examinations.