Ko Wen-je, a prominent figure in Taiwanese politics and former presidential candidate, has been indicted on corruption charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 28.5 years. The 65-year-old former Taipei mayor is accused of accepting bribes during his time in office.

Ko Wen-je, a former presidential candidate and prominent figure in Taiwanese politics, was indicted on Thursday over corruption allegations.

The 65-year-old stands accused of accepting $500,000 in bribes linked to a real estate deal during his tenure as Taipei mayor and of misreporting campaign finances during his presidential run in January. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to 28.5 years.

The indictment marks a major setback for Ko and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which has appealed to voters seeking an alternative to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT). Prosecutors revealed that Ko is among 11 individuals facing charges, including several TPP members accused of misusing political donations.

Ko, who denies the allegations, was arrested in September and remains in detention. His political allies and supporters have protested the charges, accusing the DPP of weaponizing the legal system to suppress its opponents.

Ko’s political career has been marked by his role as a third-party alternative in a system dominated by the DPP and KMT. In the January presidential election, he garnered over 25% of the vote—a significant showing for a third-party candidate—while the ruling party’s Lai Ching-te won with 40%.

Although Ko finished last among the three main candidates, his performance highlighted growing public demand for alternatives to the two-party system.

Rising to prominence after supporting the 2014 Sunflower Movement protests against Beijing, Ko won the Taipei mayoral election as an independent and secured a second term in 2018. Over time, his policies evolved, and he sought to strengthen Taipei’s ties with mainland China. T

hroughout his career, he has been known for his unconventional rhetoric and unorthodox campaign strategies, earning him a reputation as a “wildcard” in Taiwanese politics.

Despite his loss in the presidential race, Ko had expressed intentions to run again in 2028. However, the wave of prosecutions against him and his party raises questions about whether the TPP can recover and remain a viable political force.

As the legal proceedings continue, the indictment against Ko has sparked a heated debate in Taiwan about the balance between justice and political maneuvering, with potential implications for the nation’s political future.

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