The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office today said it would not appeal the court’s decision to uphold former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) release on bail of NT$70 million (US$2.29 million).
Ko was released on Sept. 8, bringing an end to his year-long incommunicado detention as he awaits trial on corruption charges.
Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying (應曉薇), who was also being held in detention for the same case, was released on NT$30 million bail on Sept. 5.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
On Sept. 9, prosecutors filed an appeal against Ko’s release, requesting that he be detained until they finish questioning witnesses next month.
The High Court overturned the bail decision on Sept. 12, ordering the Taipei District Court to hear the appeal.
The High Court said that Ko and Ying must not contact, harass or intimidate other defendants or witnesses in the case to prevent collusion.
Although Ko and Ying must wear electronic ankle monitors and comply with mobile phone tracking according to the conditions of their release, there are concerns about whether these conditions can be effectively implemented, the High Court said.
The Taipei District Court once again approved Ko and Ying’s release on Monday last week, ruling that existing testimonies and court documents are sufficient for the upcoming trial, and that the high bail amount and movement restrictions would pressure them to comply.
Prosecutors today said they respect the court’s decision and would not appeal again, focusing instead on the trial’s main issues and legal arguments.
However, they would ask the court to reconsider detention if Ko is found to breach any court orders, they said.
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