TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei District Prosecutors Office appealed a court decision to release Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on NT$70 million (US$2.3 million) bail on Tuesday, ahead of his trial on corruption charges.

Ko was recently released from a year-long incommunicado detention. Prosecutors allege Ko's release comes too soon, as they have yet to question key witnesses, arguing he could now interfere with witnesses, per CNA.

In October, prosecutors plan to meet with individuals associated with the Core Pacific City development case, such as Huang Ching-mao (黃景茂), former director of Taipei City's Department of Urban Development; Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊), former Taipei deputy mayor; and Wu Shun-min (吳順民), assistant to KMT Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇).

Prosecutors also appealed the release of Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇), who was granted bail at NT$30 million.

Ko and Ying's incommunicado detention was repeatedly extended by two months: April 2, June 2, and Aug. 2. The current detention period was to expire on Oct. 1.

Prosecutors allege that Ko has already violated his bail terms. Soon after his release on Monday, he contacted two witnesses in the corruption case, his aide Chen Chih-han (陳智菡) and TPP Taipei City Councilor Chen You-cheng (陳宥丞). Furthermore, while in detention, Ko instructed others to post social media messages under his name to collude with witnesses and influence the public. 

Terms of Ko's bail release include staying at a registered address, wearing an electronic monitoring device, remaining in the country, and refraining from contacting other defendants or witnesses in the case.

Ko was indicted on charges related to accepting bribes of NT$17.1 million in a property development deal as Taipei mayor and embezzling political donations during his presidential campaign. Prosecutors are seeking a total sentence of 28.5 years for Ko.