TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei District Prosecutors Office on Thursday (Dec. 26) indicted Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on charges of bribery and corruption. Prosecutors recommended a 28.5-year prison sentence, a fine of NT$50 million, and a 10-year ban from public office. The charges stem from allegations of bribery during his tenure as Taipei mayor and misappropriation of political donations during his presidential campaign.
Kao Yi-shu (高一書), the Taipei City Deputy Chief Prosecutor, revealed that nine defendants, including Ko, face indictment for violating the "Anti-corruption Act" (貪污治罪條例) and money laundering offenses linked to the Core Pacific City case. The prosecution charged 11 individuals across four major cases, with Ko's involvement in Core Pacific City real estate dealings taking center stage.
Speaking to the media, TPP spokesperson Vicky Chen (陳智菡) expressed the party's unwavering support for Ko and demanded clarity from prosecutors on his four-month detention. Meanwhile, Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Huang Chien-hao (黃健豪) questioned whether the prosecution leaked information about the indictment to select media outlets.
TPP Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) led an international press conference, asserting no new substantial evidence emerged during Ko's detention. Huang Kuo-chang claimed the smear campaign against Ko Wen-je would be documented as a blight in Taiwan's democratic history. The case continues to unfold as both supporters and critics await further developments.