TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) refused to attend prosecutors’ fifth round of questioning on Tuesday (Oct. 1) about involvement in the Core Pacific City corruption scandal. 

Prosecutors said Ko told detention center staff he was unwilling to attend the scheduled questioning on Monday morning, per CNA. They said that after an assessment, doubts remained regarding Ko’s physical and mental condition, and the questioning had been rescheduled.

A representative of Ko’s Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) told reporters that because Ko was detained without visitation rights, the party only became aware of the situation through media reports. “I am sure the chairman has concrete reasons for making the choice,” the spokesperson said. 

Ko has been in jail for nearly a month. He was detained on Sept. 5 by a judge who ruled there was sufficient evidence to suspect Ko was involved in a corruption scheme that allegedly saw millions flow from a developer to Taipei City Council members during Ko’s mayoralty.

Ko has maintained his innocence since the investigation was made public. After he was detained, Ko’s legal team said he would cooperate with the investigation.