TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Former Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), who allegedly accepted NT$5 million in 2017 and was detained by authorities on bribery charges, began his Friday (July 12) morning at 6:45 a.m. with a breakfast of barley tea and brown sugar buns.
The Taoyuan District Court ruled Thursday night to hold Cheng incommunicado. Cheng, a former vice premier, is the highest-profile detainee ever held at the Taoyuan Detention Center.
Upon arrival, he skipped the provided meal, having already eaten bread. Taoyuan Prison Deputy Warden Hsu Kuo-hsien (許國賢) noted that Cheng shares his cell with three carefully selected inmates to maintain order and safety.
Cheng purchased bedding and brought three days' worth of medication for chronic illnesses. Officials will assess his health today and arrange medical assistance if needed.
