Prosecutors to appeal Ko's release, reject his 'nothing found' claim

Taipei, Sept. 9 (CNA) The Taipei District Prosecutors Office said Monday night that it will appeal the court's decision to release former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-che (柯文哲) on NT$70 million (US$2.3 million) bail and refuted his claim that prosecutors had "found nothing" in the corruption case against him.

● Ko Wen-je released on NT$70 million bail (update)

In a news statement, the office condemned the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) founder's statement as "misleading" and "an obfuscation of the facts," adding that prosecutors had met their burden of proof with evidence, witness testimony and cross-examination results.

The statement said that the court had approved Ko's detention and its extension three times.

The Taipei District Court granted his release on Sept. 5, stipulating that he must stay at a registered address, wear an electronic monitoring device, not leave the country and refrain from contacting other defendants or witnesses in the case.

After posting bail on Monday afternoon, Ko traveled to Hsinchu to see his mother and returned to Taipei around three hours later.

Ko has not responded to press queries, but his mother, Ho Jui-ying (何瑞英), thanked supporters and told reporters that she was sad Ko had been "misjudged" and that "they could not find evidence."

In response to Ko's earlier statement that he had not seen sunlight or another person for a year, the Taipei Detention Center said that detainees are provided with light, ventilation and regular exercise time.

It added that all those detained incommunicado were isolated to maintain order and safety.

Ko has been detained incommunicado since Sept. 5, 2024 and was indicted in December on charges including accepting bribes in a property development case while serving as Taipei mayor and embezzling political donations during his 2024 presidential campaign.

He has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation and his ongoing trial.

Ten other suspects were also indicted, including former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲); Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇); Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), finance chief of Ko's 2024 election campaign office; and Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), founder and chairman of the real estate conglomerate Core Pacific Group.

Prosecutors said they will also appeal the release of Ying, who was released on NT$30 million bail on Sept. 5.