However, Fu is to retain his legislator’s status and continue to draw a salary during his time in prison. The Supreme Court rejected Fu’s appeal in a case that has dragged on for more than two decades because of his repeated appeals. Though nominally an independent legislator, Fu, a former Hualien County commissioner, is closely aligned with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), despite leaving the party in 2009. The Supreme Court ruling also instructed prosecutors to take measures to prevent Fu from fleeing the country. There would be no by-election as Fu can serve out the rest of his legislative term, Chen added.

Source: Taipei Times May 14, 2020 15:56 UTC