Ko Wen-je Demands Release of Interrogation Video Amid Corruption Claims in Taiwan

Former Taipei Mayor Alleges Improper Treatment and Seeks Transparency in Bribery Case

Taipei, Taiwan – Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), following his third-place finish in Taiwan's 2024 presidential election, is demanding the public release of interrogation video footage. Ko alleges prosecutors attempted to blackmail him, highlighting claims of improper conduct during his investigation.

Appearing in court after receiving medical treatment, Ko, the former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman, used the hearing at the Taipei District Court to reiterate accusations of misconduct against prosecutor Lin Chun-yen (林俊言). Ko stated that Lin threatened to release "obscene footage" found on a seized hard drive if he didn't confess during interrogation.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office has denied the allegations and moved for a public examination of the video and seized hard drive. Ko has been detained for over eight months and was indicted in December on charges of bribery, favoritism, embezzlement, and breach of public trust. These charges relate to his second term as Taipei mayor (2018-2022) and his 2024 presidential run.

The recent hearing addressed requests for Ko's phone data and hard drive from the lawyers of suspects Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗) and Lee Wen-chuan (李文娟). It also considered the admissibility of evidence used to indict Ko, including testimonies from former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲) and Shao Hsiu-pei (邵琇珮), former executive secretary at the city government's Urban Planning Commission.

Pong and Shao supported the prosecution's portrayal of their involvement in Ko's alleged receipt of bribes from real estate tycoon Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京). Prosecutors claim Sheen paid money to secure a higher floor area ratio for a project. Ko's lawyers, Cheng Shen-yuan (鄭深元) and Hsiao Yi-hung (蕭奕弘), argued Pong and Shao may have faced "improper interrogation." They stated prosecutors suggested Pong would become a scapegoat unless he provided a statement against Ko.

Ko maintains his innocence, stating he has not engaged in corruption or embezzlement. He claims he doesn't even know the specific wrongdoing he is accused of, even after eight months in detention. He also highlighted "prolonged and exhausting interrogations," which he claims are illegal in Taiwan, and urged the court to review the interrogation video from August 30.

Prosecutor Chiang Chang-chih (姜長志) responded that Ko was offered breaks during the interrogation but declined them. The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office seeks a 28.5-year prison sentence for Ko. Ten other suspects were also indicted in these cases.