The Taipei District Court today decided that former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) is allowed to see his family until March 10 after he made a request yesterday following the death of his father last week.
Ko, currently being detained, is to be allowed to meet and communicate with his wife Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), his mother Ho Jui-ying (何瑞英), his sister Ko Mei-lan (柯美蘭) and his brother Ko Yu-chien (柯宇謙) starting from today until March 10, the day of his father’s funeral, the court said.
During today’s hearing, Chen said she wished it could be extended to April 2, as there would be other things that need to be done after the funeral.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Ko Wen-je, as a medical professional, was not able to stay by his father’s side since he was hospitalized in August last year, Chen said.
Ho said Ko Wen-je’s father had repeatedly asked her where he was when he was alive.
Ko Wen-je’s father had said he wished his eldest son would be the one to make his funeral arrangements, Chen said, adding that they got dozens of questions from the funeral company.
“Are we not being suppressed?” Chen asked.
During the hearing, Ko Wen-je said: “That’s it. Stop asking for a favor.”
Lawyers representing Ko Wen-je said they hoped the court could give the family sufficient time to make funeral arrangements and restore their relationship.
Prosecutors said they respected the court’s decision and whether Ko Wen-je could make a home visit is to be decided by the Taipei Detention Center.
Chen and Ho appeared at the court this afternoon, accompanied by Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Legislator Chen Gau-tzu (陳昭姿).
Ho, wiping tears with a handkerchief, did not respond to questions from reporters at the scene.
Ko Wen-je, 65, was the TPP presidential candidate in last year's election.
He was indicted on Dec. 26 last year on bribery and other corruption charges in connection with real-estate dealings during his second term as Taipei mayor, which began in 2018.
He was also charged with embezzling political donations made to the TPP during the presidential election campaign.
He resigned as TPP chairman last month, facing a combined 28-year, six-month prison term.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS