TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A large police presence surrounded the Taipei District Court on Thursday morning (Sept. 5) as Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was held inside awaiting an afternoon ruling on whether or not he would remain in detention.

Local Police Chief Chen Yu-chien (陳育健) told reporters outside the court that 400 officers had been deployed to the scene, and the public was prohibited from protesting within the court’s vicinity, per CNA. Police are stationed on Boai Road and have prevented protests under the public assembly law.

Those who protest within the restricted zone will be removed, Chen said. Police said the restrictions were to prevent clashes between protestors with different opinions.

Protesters are gathering outside Xiaonanmen MRT Station, which is about 250 meters from the court.

Ko was temporarily detained in the court’s waiting area by order of a judge, who will make a ruling on any further detention orders at 2 p.m. Thursday, per CNA. The court has been asked by the Taiwan High Court to make a ruling on whether or not Ko knew about an alleged corruption scheme involving a property development when he was Taipei mayor.

The property development case involves a project by Core Pacific City that was granted a floor area ratio increase during Ko’s administration. Over NT$40 million (US$1.25 million) is alleged to have changed hands between the developer and members of the Taipei City Council under Ko’s watch.

The Taiwan Association for Human Rights (TAHR) criticized the law to restrict demonstrations on Wednesday (Sept. 4). The TAHR issued a statement that said the Assembly and Parade Act restricts citizens’ political freedoms.

Unless permission is granted, the act prohibits demonstrations around the office of the president, Cabinet, the judiciary, all levels of courts, international air and sea ports, military installations, foreign missions, and other locations. The TAHR said these provisions are a relic of Taiwan’s authoritarian past and should be removed.