TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei District Court on Monday began oral arguments in the Core Pacific City corruption case involving former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), with public prosecutors presenting their case, per CNA.

Prosecutors last year indicted Ko, Core Pacific Group Chair Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇), and 11 others on charges of bribery and corruption linked to an ongoing development project. The case centers on the approval of a significant increase in the project’s floor area ratio, from 560% to 840%.

According to prosecutors, Sheen repeatedly lobbied the Taipei City Government between 2010 and 2018 with requests that were not approved. After 2020, however, prosecutors allege Ko accommodated nearly all of Sheen’s requests, including revisions to floor plans and the floor area ratio.

For the alleged misconduct, Ko faces a combined sentence of 28 years and six months in prison. Other defendants face similar, lengthy prison sentences.

The court has scheduled three days of oral arguments. Prosecutors will present their case first, followed by arguments from defense attorneys and the defendants. The order of defense arguments will be Ko, Sheen, and Ying.

Prosecutors outlined allegations of embezzlement related to the Core Pacific City project during the morning session and presented bribery charges in the afternoon. Monday’s hearing concluded at 5:30 p.m.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Ko said the court should focus on evidence rather than speculation. “Courts should focus on facts and evidence, not compile stories based on conjecture,” he said.

Prosecutors responded by saying, “We hope politics will be politics and law will be law.”

Ko and his lawyer are expected to present their defense on Tuesday.