Taipei court extends Ko Wen-je’s detention by two months

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei District Court (台北地院) extended former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's (柯文哲) detention for two more months on Friday (Nov. 1) due to his alleged involvement in the Core Pacific City case (京華城案).

The Taipei District Prosecutor's Office (北檢) requested this extension as Ko's detention period was nearing two months.

Prosecutors have accused Ko of violating the "Anti-Corruption Act" (貪污治罪條例) by accepting bribes and exploiting his supervisory duties. They argued that Ko, despite no longer holding office, still wields significant influence, which could enable him to conspire with co-defendants or witnesses.

Prosecutors emphasized that the case remains unresolved, with key figures, including Ko's former secretary Hsu Chih-yu (許芷瑜), yet to appear for questioning.

Hsu, now classified as a defendant under the "Political Donations Act" (政治獻金法), remains abroad. Authorities have issued a warrant for her arrest, canceled her passport, and voided her household registration. The court originally scheduled Ko's hearing for Oct. 31, but Typhoon Kong-rey's arrival postponed it to Friday.