Ex-Taiwan presidential Candidate sentenced to 17 years for corruption

A court in Taiwan has sentenced former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je to 17 years in prison after finding him guilty of corruption and misuse of political donations.

Ko, 65, was accused of accepting more than NT$17.1 million ($535,000; £400,000) in bribes linked to a real estate deal during his time in office, as well as misreporting campaign finances during his 2024 presidential run. Prosecutors had initially sought a sentence exceeding 28 years.

The former mayor, who founded the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Party chairman Huang Kuo-chang previously described the charges as politically motivated.

Ko was arrested in 2024 but had been released on bail since September. His conviction marks a dramatic turn for a figure once seen as a rising force in Taiwanese politics.

In the 2024 presidential election, Ko emerged as a strong third-party contender, securing more than 25% of the vote. He finished behind Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who won with about 40%.

Ko built his political identity as an alternative to Taiwan’s two dominant parties, often criticising the DPP for heightening tensions with China, while also accusing the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) of being overly accommodating toward Beijing.

Despite finishing third, analysts viewed his strong electoral performance as evidence of growing public appetite for a more pluralistic political landscape.

His arrest and trial have sparked protests among supporters, who allege the case is politically driven. Some backers have vowed to continue supporting him and push for what they describe as justice, even after the court’s ruling.

Before the verdict, Ko had indicated plans to remain active in politics and potentially run again in the 2028 presidential election.