Former Taipei Mayor Ko sentenced to 17 years in prisonFIRST TRIAL: Ko’s lawyers sought reduced bail and other concessions, as did other defendants, but the bail judge denied their requests, citing the severity of the sentencesBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterFormer Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was yesterday sentenced to 17 years in prison and had his civil rights suspended for six years over corruption, embezzlement and other charges. Taipei prosecutors in December last year asked the Taipei District Court for a combined 28-year, six-month sentence for the four cases against Ko, who founded the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). Former Taipei city Mayor Ko Wen-je, center, leaves the Taipei District Court yesterday, after he was sentenced to 17 years in prison on bribery and corruption charges. Supporters of former Taiwan People’s Party chairman Ko Wen-je protest in front of the Taipei District Court yesterday. The bail court also denied requests from Sheen and Ying to have additional bail amounts of NT$30 million lifted.

Source: Taipei Times March 26, 2026 17:13 UTC