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.
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