Former Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who is being detained as he is tried on corruption charges, was allowed to briefly leave prison late on Saturday to be treated for a medical issue.
The Taipei Detention Center said Ko had reported “feeling unwell” at 6:40pm. Ko’s health indicators were normal, but due to him being a “high risk health case,” he was taken for off-site medical treatment at 9:55pm.
Ko was returned to the prison at 11:57pm, after doctors determined his condition was stable and did not meet the threshold for remaining in the hospital, the prison said.
Photo: CNA
Over the past week, Ko has reportedly been suffering from kidney stones, and has developed symptoms including vomiting and bloody urine.
Despite attempts from his lawyers to get him released for medical treatment, the Taipei District Court on Friday extended his detention by another two months, citing a risk that he could flee, collude with others or destroy evidence.
Ko has been detained since September last year. He was charged in December last year with bribery, embezzlement and breach of trust offenses dating back to his second term as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022, and during his campaign for president in last year’s election.
Ko, who denies the charges, made his first appearance at his trial on March 21.
At about 5pm on Saturday, TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) submitted a petition at the Taipei Detention Center, requesting that Ko be sent for medical treatment at a hospital.
Huang, along with a number of TPP supporters, unfurled a white banner in front of the prison calling for Ko’s release, and pledged to remain there until he received an answer to his request from prison authorities.
The Taipei Detention Center, which earlier Saturday said Ko did not meet the standard for requiring off-site medical care, appeared to relent after Ko reported feeling unwell that evening, leading to his two-hour departure from the prison for treatment that night.
As of press time last night, no new details regarding Ko’s condition have been released.
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