When a Verdict Determines Who Can Run- A Call to Protect Taiwan’s Democracy


When a Verdict Determines Who Can Run- A Call to Protect Taiwan’s Democracy
The Issue
3/26/26
Petition Update
The 3/26 trial outcome raises serious concerns.
What we are witnessing is not justice, but its distortion. Campaign donations, accepted by all political parties, are now being twisted into bribery criminal charges. Funds he was not even aware of are being used to justify a severe sentence.
The so-called amount of $70,000 USD, an amount that wouldn’t even cover a down payment on an apartment in Taiwan, and is roughly equivalent to the cost of a charter flight to South Korea for a baseball game (recent “personal spending” by Taiwan’s Premier under the ruling party)….while the project generated over $400,000,000 USD….. Seriously? A completely disproportionate comparison.
With a first trial sentence exceeding 10 years, he is immediately barred from running for office, revealing a hidden political agenda to remove opposition.
This is not just about one individual.
It is about whether a system can determine election outcomes before the people do.
If we remain silent today, it can happen to anyone tomorrow.
If we accept this, we accept a future where justice serves power, not the people.
Taiwan must not go down this path.
Stand up. Speak out.
Taiwan citizens. Let’s gather on 3/29.
9/9/25
Petition Update
Ko has been unjustly detained for one year without evidence, despite all 17 main witnesses confirming his innocence. Although the court has finally granted bail, the conditions imposed are harsh, baseless, and disproportionate compared to the lenient treatment given to ruling party officials facing far more serious felony charges.
Even now, prosecutors threaten to appeal again, exercising virtually unlimited power to detain. This unchecked authority, aligned with political pressure from the ruling DPP, highlights how Taiwan’s judicial system is broken and over-used as a tool by those in power, rather than serving the people.
9/1/25
Dr. Ko has been detained for 365 days without evidence, without conviction, and without ever going through (the first trial). He is treated as guilty while all witness testimony has already proven his innocence.
🇹🇼 #SaveTaiwan #JusticeForKo #DemocracyMatters
8/30/2025 - Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/bOPag0lmEbQ?feature=shared
While hiding in his presidential suite, Taiwan’s leader has 「barricaded 」himself inside, shutting down the border streets of the so-called Freedom Palace—ironically denying citizens the very freedom those streets represent.
6/21/2025 - See Updates for Upcoming Key Dates
5/22/2025 - See update for details
4/26/2025 – Taiwan Roars: No Dictator, No Silence - See update for details
4/17/2025 - See update for details
Taiwan’s Justice System Has Fallen - Ko’s latest pretrial hearing dialogue.
4/3/2025 - See update for details
#JusticeForKo
#MedicalRightsMatter
#StopPoliticalAbuse
#ProtectKoHealth
#DefendTaiwanDemocracy
#UnfairDetention
#KoWenJeTruth
3/30/2025 - See update for details
https://www.youtube.com/live/tp1VDJ3yRD8?feature=shared
Ko Wen-je’s health is at risk. He must be released immediately to receive medical care.
3/27/2025 - See update for details
Health Is Not for the Government to Declare — and Human Rights Are Not Optional
健康不是政府說了算,更不是人權的例外
3/25/2025 - See update for details
Democracy Under Threat: Abuse of Power in Taiwan’s Legislative and Judicial Systems
3/20/2025
***LIVE*** https://www.youtube.com/live/m6kusWyVncA?feature=shared
Justice Guardians Stand with Ko Wen-je – Rally at Taipei Court
3/16/2025 - See update for details
全文請看更新*
7 Months in Detention Without Evidence – Political Persecution Under Lai’s Administration
No trial. No proof. Just endless detention and abuse.
2/24/2025
Taiwan DPP Officials & President Enjoying a BBQ VS Flu Patients Roasting in Overcrowded ERs
“See update for details 全文請看更新
*2/17/2025
R.I.P. Dr. Ko’s Father – A Devoted Teacher, 228 Family Victim, and a Symbol of Forgiveness
“See update for details 全文請看更新*
2/9/2025
Taiwan’s democracy is under threat—not from external forces, but from within. The justice system, once meant to protect the people, has become a tool for political suppression, silencing those who challenge the ruling power. The case of Ko Wen-je is a glaring example of this abuse.
Taiwan’s democracy is at a crossroads. Either we stand up now, or we allow authoritarianism to take root under the disguise of justice. We refuse to be silent. The world must know the truth.
*See update for details 全文請看更新*
1/21/2025
A letter to President Trump expressing gratitude for his kind birthday wishes, congratulating him on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, and highlighting the unjust detention of Dr. Ko Wen-je in Taiwan. (Please refer to the update for further details.)
1/11/2025
Today, January 11, at 1 PM Taiwan time, the biggest gathering yet will take place, alongside a live broadcast (https://www.youtube.com/live/xb5lr5nZbn0?feature=shared to demand judicial independence and a fair legal system in Taiwan.
We stand united in urging the ruling government to stop interfering in the judiciary for political motives. Prosecutors must uphold their duty to remain unbiased, especially when troubling connections exist between them and individuals with close bonds to the president. Such ties undermine public trust and the credibility of Taiwan’s justice system.
This is a pivotal moment for Taiwan’s democracy. Thank you to all our supporters for staying engaged and spreading the message. Let’s continue to demand justice and accountability!
#SaveTaiwan #JusticeForAll #JudicialIndependence
1/3/2025
Dr. Ko has been detained again without solid or new evidences a few days following his indictment, raising concerns about judicial fairness and political motives in Taiwan.
1/2/2025
Urgent: In a few hours, the third detention court hearing will take place. Despite two previous rulings granting Dr. Ko bail with restrictions, the prosecutor has repeatedly appealed without presenting any substantive evidence or justification. (Please see the update for details.)
12/28/24 Timeline of Events:
Within 24 hours of being granted bail with $1 million USD—a fundamental right to human freedom—the Taipei District Prosecutors Office shocked the public by appealing the decision without presenting any or any new evidence. Even more alarmingly, by 3 PM that same day, the District Court convened an emergency session to review the case, as if the entire judicial system and taxpayer resources were mobilized to target Ko Wen-je.
This extraordinary Sunday court session, held at lightning speed, raises serious concerns about whether Taiwan’s judiciary is operating impartially or is being influenced by political motives. Fairness and the rule of law? Apparently optional.
Ko’s case is more than just an absurdity—it’s a dire warning for the future of democracy in Taiwan. When the judicial system prioritizes political vendettas over justice, everyone’s rights are at risk.
12/26/24 Call for Open Court Hearings in Dr. Ko Wen-je’s Case: Transparency for Taiwan’s Justice
The Taipei Prosecutor’s Office has filed politically charged accusations against Dr. Ko Wen-je, recommending a 28-year sentence without presenting key evidence such as witnesses, monetary flow, or specifics on time and location. This case has raised serious concerns about political persecution and judicial bias under the current administration.
We demand 公開審理 (open court hearings) to ensure transparency and fairness. An open trial will allow the public and international observers to scrutinize the process, holding Taiwan’s judiciary accountable to the principles of democracy and impartial justice.
***Please see other updates for detailed status.***
8/30/24 We stand here today to bring attention to the unjust treatment of the former mayor of Taipei, Taiwan, the leader of the third political party, who has been unfairly targeted for his commitment to public service and integrity. During his eight-year term as mayor of Taiwan’s capital city, he consistently made decisions in the best interest of the public. The meeting minutes from his term, which are available for public review, clearly demonstrate that his actions were taken with transparency and a genuine concern for the citizens he served.
Despite his exemplary service, his presidential campaign ended without victory. However, the newly elected leader has since misused the justice system to retaliate against him. Under false pretenses, his home and office have been unlawfully searched, and he has been subjected to an inhumane 19-hour interrogation without rest. These actions are not just an attack on him but a blatant abuse of power that undermines the principles of justice and democracy.
We are here outside the facility where he is being held to raise awareness and draw attention to this grave injustice. We demand fair treatment and due process for a leader who has served his city with honor and dedication. We call on all who believe in fairness and democracy to join us in seeking his immediate release. This is not just about one man; it’s about the future of justice and fairness in our society. Let us stand together to ensure that no one is persecuted for doing what is right.
We urge the media, international observers, and all concerned citizens to help shine a light on this situation and hold those in power accountable. We will not rest until justice is served, and he is set free.
79,008
The Issue
3/26/26
Petition Update
The 3/26 trial outcome raises serious concerns.
What we are witnessing is not justice, but its distortion. Campaign donations, accepted by all political parties, are now being twisted into bribery criminal charges. Funds he was not even aware of are being used to justify a severe sentence.
The so-called amount of $70,000 USD, an amount that wouldn’t even cover a down payment on an apartment in Taiwan, and is roughly equivalent to the cost of a charter flight to South Korea for a baseball game (recent “personal spending” by Taiwan’s Premier under the ruling party)….while the project generated over $400,000,000 USD….. Seriously? A completely disproportionate comparison.
With a first trial sentence exceeding 10 years, he is immediately barred from running for office, revealing a hidden political agenda to remove opposition.
This is not just about one individual.
It is about whether a system can determine election outcomes before the people do.
If we remain silent today, it can happen to anyone tomorrow.
If we accept this, we accept a future where justice serves power, not the people.
Taiwan must not go down this path.
Stand up. Speak out.
Taiwan citizens. Let’s gather on 3/29.
9/9/25
Petition Update
Ko has been unjustly detained for one year without evidence, despite all 17 main witnesses confirming his innocence. Although the court has finally granted bail, the conditions imposed are harsh, baseless, and disproportionate compared to the lenient treatment given to ruling party officials facing far more serious felony charges.
Even now, prosecutors threaten to appeal again, exercising virtually unlimited power to detain. This unchecked authority, aligned with political pressure from the ruling DPP, highlights how Taiwan’s judicial system is broken and over-used as a tool by those in power, rather than serving the people.
9/1/25
Dr. Ko has been detained for 365 days without evidence, without conviction, and without ever going through (the first trial). He is treated as guilty while all witness testimony has already proven his innocence.
🇹🇼 #SaveTaiwan #JusticeForKo #DemocracyMatters
8/30/2025 - Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/bOPag0lmEbQ?feature=shared
While hiding in his presidential suite, Taiwan’s leader has 「barricaded 」himself inside, shutting down the border streets of the so-called Freedom Palace—ironically denying citizens the very freedom those streets represent.
6/21/2025 - See Updates for Upcoming Key Dates
5/22/2025 - See update for details
4/26/2025 – Taiwan Roars: No Dictator, No Silence - See update for details
4/17/2025 - See update for details
Taiwan’s Justice System Has Fallen - Ko’s latest pretrial hearing dialogue.
4/3/2025 - See update for details
#JusticeForKo
#MedicalRightsMatter
#StopPoliticalAbuse
#ProtectKoHealth
#DefendTaiwanDemocracy
#UnfairDetention
#KoWenJeTruth
3/30/2025 - See update for details
https://www.youtube.com/live/tp1VDJ3yRD8?feature=shared
Ko Wen-je’s health is at risk. He must be released immediately to receive medical care.
3/27/2025 - See update for details
Health Is Not for the Government to Declare — and Human Rights Are Not Optional
健康不是政府說了算,更不是人權的例外
3/25/2025 - See update for details
Democracy Under Threat: Abuse of Power in Taiwan’s Legislative and Judicial Systems
3/20/2025
***LIVE*** https://www.youtube.com/live/m6kusWyVncA?feature=shared
Justice Guardians Stand with Ko Wen-je – Rally at Taipei Court
3/16/2025 - See update for details
全文請看更新*
7 Months in Detention Without Evidence – Political Persecution Under Lai’s Administration
No trial. No proof. Just endless detention and abuse.
2/24/2025
Taiwan DPP Officials & President Enjoying a BBQ VS Flu Patients Roasting in Overcrowded ERs
“See update for details 全文請看更新
*2/17/2025
R.I.P. Dr. Ko’s Father – A Devoted Teacher, 228 Family Victim, and a Symbol of Forgiveness
“See update for details 全文請看更新*
2/9/2025
Taiwan’s democracy is under threat—not from external forces, but from within. The justice system, once meant to protect the people, has become a tool for political suppression, silencing those who challenge the ruling power. The case of Ko Wen-je is a glaring example of this abuse.
Taiwan’s democracy is at a crossroads. Either we stand up now, or we allow authoritarianism to take root under the disguise of justice. We refuse to be silent. The world must know the truth.
*See update for details 全文請看更新*
1/21/2025
A letter to President Trump expressing gratitude for his kind birthday wishes, congratulating him on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, and highlighting the unjust detention of Dr. Ko Wen-je in Taiwan. (Please refer to the update for further details.)
1/11/2025
Today, January 11, at 1 PM Taiwan time, the biggest gathering yet will take place, alongside a live broadcast (https://www.youtube.com/live/xb5lr5nZbn0?feature=shared to demand judicial independence and a fair legal system in Taiwan.
We stand united in urging the ruling government to stop interfering in the judiciary for political motives. Prosecutors must uphold their duty to remain unbiased, especially when troubling connections exist between them and individuals with close bonds to the president. Such ties undermine public trust and the credibility of Taiwan’s justice system.
This is a pivotal moment for Taiwan’s democracy. Thank you to all our supporters for staying engaged and spreading the message. Let’s continue to demand justice and accountability!
#SaveTaiwan #JusticeForAll #JudicialIndependence
1/3/2025
Dr. Ko has been detained again without solid or new evidences a few days following his indictment, raising concerns about judicial fairness and political motives in Taiwan.
1/2/2025
Urgent: In a few hours, the third detention court hearing will take place. Despite two previous rulings granting Dr. Ko bail with restrictions, the prosecutor has repeatedly appealed without presenting any substantive evidence or justification. (Please see the update for details.)
12/28/24 Timeline of Events:
Within 24 hours of being granted bail with $1 million USD—a fundamental right to human freedom—the Taipei District Prosecutors Office shocked the public by appealing the decision without presenting any or any new evidence. Even more alarmingly, by 3 PM that same day, the District Court convened an emergency session to review the case, as if the entire judicial system and taxpayer resources were mobilized to target Ko Wen-je.
This extraordinary Sunday court session, held at lightning speed, raises serious concerns about whether Taiwan’s judiciary is operating impartially or is being influenced by political motives. Fairness and the rule of law? Apparently optional.
Ko’s case is more than just an absurdity—it’s a dire warning for the future of democracy in Taiwan. When the judicial system prioritizes political vendettas over justice, everyone’s rights are at risk.
12/26/24 Call for Open Court Hearings in Dr. Ko Wen-je’s Case: Transparency for Taiwan’s Justice
The Taipei Prosecutor’s Office has filed politically charged accusations against Dr. Ko Wen-je, recommending a 28-year sentence without presenting key evidence such as witnesses, monetary flow, or specifics on time and location. This case has raised serious concerns about political persecution and judicial bias under the current administration.
We demand 公開審理 (open court hearings) to ensure transparency and fairness. An open trial will allow the public and international observers to scrutinize the process, holding Taiwan’s judiciary accountable to the principles of democracy and impartial justice.
***Please see other updates for detailed status.***
8/30/24 We stand here today to bring attention to the unjust treatment of the former mayor of Taipei, Taiwan, the leader of the third political party, who has been unfairly targeted for his commitment to public service and integrity. During his eight-year term as mayor of Taiwan’s capital city, he consistently made decisions in the best interest of the public. The meeting minutes from his term, which are available for public review, clearly demonstrate that his actions were taken with transparency and a genuine concern for the citizens he served.
Despite his exemplary service, his presidential campaign ended without victory. However, the newly elected leader has since misused the justice system to retaliate against him. Under false pretenses, his home and office have been unlawfully searched, and he has been subjected to an inhumane 19-hour interrogation without rest. These actions are not just an attack on him but a blatant abuse of power that undermines the principles of justice and democracy.
We are here outside the facility where he is being held to raise awareness and draw attention to this grave injustice. We demand fair treatment and due process for a leader who has served his city with honor and dedication. We call on all who believe in fairness and democracy to join us in seeking his immediate release. This is not just about one man; it’s about the future of justice and fairness in our society. Let us stand together to ensure that no one is persecuted for doing what is right.
We urge the media, international observers, and all concerned citizens to help shine a light on this situation and hold those in power accountable. We will not rest until justice is served, and he is set free.
79,008
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Petition created on August 30, 2024
