TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan High Court on Monday rejected an appeal to end the detention of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇), extending their incommunicado detention for another two months.

The court dismissed arguments that the alleged crimes were not serious felonies, that Ko and Ying posed no flight or collusion risk, and that detention was unnecessary or inadequately justified by earlier rulings, per CNA.

Ying was taken into custody on Aug. 27 after a failed attempt to fly to Hong Kong. Ko was arrested on Aug. 31 after refusing to be questioned by investigators the previous day.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office’s investigation into the Core Pacific case and Ko’s political donations led to the indictment of 11 people on charges including bribery, profiteering, misappropriation of public assets, and breach of trust. Prosecutors are seeking a total of 28 years and six months in prison for Ko.

On July 21, the Taipei District Court extended the detention of Ko and Ying by two months, effective Aug. 2, prohibiting them from receiving visitors or communicating with others.

The court granted Ko’s former office head, Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), bail of NT$20 million (US$682,662), restricting him to his residence, barring overseas travel, and requiring an electronic monitoring anklet.

Core Pacific Group Chair Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京) was ordered to post NT$180 million bail, remain under house restriction, refrain from traveling abroad, wear an electronic anklet, and use a designated mobile phone.