TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A senior Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) official sharply questioned prosecutors' integrity Tuesday (Sept. 9) following the controversial bail release of former party chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲). Central committee member Tsai Pi-ru (蔡壁如) challenged whether investigators pursued justice or personal vendettas in the high-profile corruption case. Her criticism intensified ongoing tensions between Taiwan's opposition party and the judicial system over the politically charged prosecution.
Tsai accused prosecutors of abandoning professional objectivity in favor of vindictive personal agendas during their investigation. She condemned what she characterized as a spiteful prosecutorial response, demanding that legal officials prioritize fairness and rational analysis over emotional prejudices. The TPP official warned that such biased judicial proceedings were fueling widespread public distrust and dissatisfaction with Taiwan's legal system, undermining confidence in prosecutorial integrity.
Authorities granted Ko bail for NT$70 million (around US$2.3 million) Monday (Sept. 8) after an extended detention period. Ko immediately denounced prosecutors for their year-long investigation that failed to produce concrete results, claiming the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) had underestimated his party's ethical standards. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office (台北地檢署) swiftly countered with a late Monday press release categorically rejecting Ko's public assertions.
Prosecutors emphasized their determination to appeal the bail decision while maintaining they possessed substantial evidence supporting Ko's conviction. The office called on citizens to respect judicial independence and avoid external pressures that might compromise court proceedings. Officials specifically warned against media interference that could undermine public confidence in Taiwan's legal system, defending their prosecution as evidence-based rather than politically motivated despite mounting criticism. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.3)
