Taiwan People's Party leader Ko Wen-je released without bail

TAIPEI -- Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je was released without bail by the Taipei District Court early Monday morning after being questioned since Friday in a corruption investigation involving a real estate development project.

Meanwhile, Pong Cheng-sheng, Ko's deputy during his tenure as Taipei mayor, was held incommunicado by the same court.

Ko is suspected of being involved in corruption related to a real estate project during his tenure as the mayor of Taipei.

Investigators raided Ko's residence, office and the TPP party headquarters Friday morning. Ko and Pong were summoned for questioning.

Prosecutors announced the arrest of Ko early Saturday morning. Upon the request of prosecutors, the Taipei District Court held a detention hearing Sunday evening, during which Ko and Pong were questioned for approximately four and a half hours.

The court determined that evidence presented was insufficient to justify the detention of Ko and ordered his release without bail. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office plans to appeal the decision.