Court hearing witnessing multiple emotional breakdowns by Ko Wen-je during his bail appeal
In a significant turn of events, former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je made an appearance at a court hearing for his bail appeal on October 1, 20xx. The hearing was held at the Taipei District Court, alongside Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei, as both parties sought their release when their extended detention period comes to an end.
The case in question is the Core Pacific City development project, which has been under investigation due to a sharp increase in the floor area ratio from 560 percent to 840 percent. Eleven people, including Ko and Ying, were indicted in December last year over this project.
Ko Wen-je has been in incommunicado detention at the Taipei Detention Center for over a year. During the hearing, he claimed that the charges against him are an attempt to "take him down." He also accused the judicial probes against him of being politically motivated.
Prosecutors are seeking a total prison term of 28 years and six months for Ko Wen-je. They allege that he received a NT$15 million (US$489,000) bribe from Core Pacific Group Chairman Sheen Ching-jing in exchange for favorable treatment during his tenure as mayor. However, Ko questioned what evidence prosecutors have to support the allegation of bribery after a year of his being in custody.
Sheen Ching-jing, who was alleged to have bribed Ko, was granted bail and released in July. Uninvolved individuals have also been implicated in the case, according to Ko.
Ko lives in a cell with no sunlight and is forced to wear a mask while sleeping due to the foul smell in his cell. The name of the investigating judge presiding over the court hearing is not publicly available.
Ying Hsiao-wei, like Ko, was indicted on bribery charges in the Core Pacific City development project. The hearing is a significant step towards determining the fate of both Ko and Ying, as they seek to be released from detention. The outcome of the hearing will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Taiwan's political landscape.
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