TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei District Court (北院) plans to announce its decision on whether to extend former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's (柯文哲) detention at 4:30 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 1) over the Core Pacific City (京華城) corruption scandal.
The Taipei District Prosecutor's Office (台北地方檢察署) continued its investigation into the Ko scandal, with the district court scheduling a detention hearing earlier that day.
Prosecutors initially received approval on Sept. 5 to detain Ko, whose custody period is nearing expiration. On Oct. 25, they petitioned the court for an extension. They allege Ko violated the "Anti-Corruption Act" (貪污治罪條例) by accepting bribes and abusing his official position to benefit others.
Concerns remain about potential collusion with accomplices or witnesses, as significant figures like Ko's former secretary Hsu Chih-yu (許芷瑜) remain abroad, and other witnesses have yet to be summoned for questioning.
Prosecutors argue that Ko, despite no longer holding office, retains significant influence, which could facilitate collusion with yet-to-be-apprehended accomplices or witnesses. They warn that without extending his detention, the case could become obscured, complicating efforts to pursue justice effectively.
