Ko Wen-je, a former rising political figure and presidential contender in Taiwan, was indicted Thursday on corruption charges.
The 65-year-old is accused of accepting bribes worth half a million dollars linked to a real estate transaction during his tenure as Taipei mayor, as well as misreporting campaign finances during his presidential bid in January.
Prosecutors are seeking up to 28.5 years in prison.
Ko, who denies the allegations, was arrested in September and has been held in detention.
Prosecutors revealed that Ko is among 11 individuals being prosecuted, with several other members of his Taiwan People Party also facing charges related to political donation misappropriations.
Ko’s indictment delivers a major blow to his political movement, which had gained significant traction among voters seeking an alternative to the dominant Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT).
In January’s presidential race, Ko secured over 25% of the vote, a strong showing that demonstrated a demand for a more diverse political landscape.
Despite finishing third, his performance underscored voter dissatisfaction with the two major parties.
Ko gained prominence by positioning himself as a third-party option, criticizing the DPP for escalating tensions with Beijing, while also accusing the KMT of being too accommodating.
A former supporter of the 2014 anti-Beijing Sunflower Movement, Ko was first elected Taipei mayor as an independent and won a second term in 2018.
However, his political views evolved over time, particularly regarding Taiwan’s relations with China.
Known for his unorthodox political style, Ko often courted controversy with his outspoken rhetoric and eccentric campaign tactics, including starring in a rap video during his 2018 re-election campaign.
Despite his loss in the presidential race, Ko vowed to continue his political career, with plans to run again in 2028. However, the ongoing legal challenges could hinder the recovery of his political party.
Ko’s arrest has sparked protests from his supporters, who accuse the DPP of using the charges to suppress political opposition.
Source-BBC
