Taiwan's populist opposition figure Ko Wen-je received a 17-year prison sentence, sparking defiance from his Taiwan People’s party, which alleges political pressure from the ruling DPP.

Taiwanese opposition figure Ko Wen-je was sentenced to 17 years in prison for corruption, effectively ending his bid for the 2028 presidential election and removing a prominent centrist from the political stage. He was accused of receiving bribes as Taipei mayor.

Mainland China's Taiwan affairs office has accused Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of manipulating the judiciary and suppressing opponents for political self-interest, citing the case of Ko Wen-je.

The 17-year prison sentence handed to former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je could significantly alter Taiwan's political landscape, where he previously broke the two-party system.

Onetime Taiwan presidential hopeful Ko Wen-je has been convicted of graft, facing a 17-year sentence for bribery.

Taiwan's second-largest opposition party, the People's Party, held a large protest rally after its former leader, Ko Wen-je, was sentenced to prison for bribery. The party asserted Ko's innocence during the demonstration.

A mainland spokesperson has criticized Taiwan's Lai administration, accusing it of manipulating the judiciary to suppress political dissent following Ko Wen-je’s sentence.

Ko Wen-je sentenced to 17 years in prison  Taipei Times