TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP) acting chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) blasted the court on Thursday for revoking for the second time Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) bail ruling.
On Wednesday, Huang assumed the role of acting chair of the TPP after Ko formally stepped down. Speaking to reporters, he accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of interfering with the court's decisions without providing any evidence.
Huang said the court’s actions show the "DPP will not give up until Ko is detained." He added, "I believe Ko and his legal team will defend his rights until the last moment,” according to CNA.
On Thursday, Ko will attend his third post-indictment hearing to determine whether he will be detained or released on bail.
Huang complained, "The first time the High Court revoked the bail ruling, the reason given was that Ko was a flight risk. The second time, the court made a complete 180-degree turn and changed the reason to a risk of evidence collusion." He asked, "Is this judicial process the justice Taiwanese people want?"
On Dec. 27, Taipei District Court released Ko on NT$30 million (US$917,431) bail, which prosecutors appealed, leading the High Court to revoke the decision on Dec. 29. On Dec. 30, the lower court increased Ko’s bail to NT$70 million, but prosecutors appealed again and the High Court revoked the decision a second time.
On Dec. 26, the former Taipei mayor and 10 other suspects were indicted on corruption charges related to the Core Pacific City case. Ko faces a potential 28.5-year prison sentence for alleged offenses including bribery, embezzlement, and breach of trust.
