TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) appeared in court on Sunday afternoon, just two days after being granted bail for NT$30 million (US$913,000) on Friday.
After a petition protesting Ko's release was filed to the Taiwan High Court by prosecutors, the Taipei District Court’s decision to grant bail to Ko was remandend by the Taiwan High Court.
Ko and his lawyers appeared before the Judge Chiang Chun-yan (江俊彥) at 3 p.m. to review the bail decision. Shortly after 11 p.m. on Sunday, the Taipei court announced its revised decision to grant the former mayor bail at an increased amount of NT$70 million, which Ko was able to provide.
According to reports, one of the alleged reasons that the previous bail order was revoked is because of a lack of specific plans on how to keep Ko from communicating with co-defendants, potentially through intermediaries, reported CNA. Prosecutors at Sunday's hearing expressed concern that Ko may contact former secretary Hsu Chih-yu (許芷瑜), who is reportedly trying to evade prosecution by residing in Japan.
Prosecutors also argued that since Ko's wife Chen Pei-chi (陳佩琪) will be a witness, Ko could discuss the case with her at home or encourage her to flee Taiwan. When the judge asked if Ko was at flight risk, Ko said that he would rather die in prison that run away, reported Now News.
During the hearing, when asked how Ko was able to procure his bail, he said that fellow Taiwan People’s Party member Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) had lent him the money, reported UDN.
When asked by the judge if he was still the chairman of the TPP, Ko repeated his earlier intention to resign as party chairman. He said that he has been unable to officially step down because his communications were restricted during his detention, per CNA.
Ko asked the judge to grant him two days’ time to settle his affairs as TPP party chair and make a statement to party supporters. He said he needs to “ask for Huang’s Kuo-chang’s help” to take over leadership responsibilities.