The Bill for Over 300 Days of Pre-Trial Detention
With former Taipei Mayor and Taiwan People’s Party chairman Ko Wen-je detained in custody for more than 300 days without a formal verdict, a profound legal question confronts society: if the judiciary ultimately finds him innocent, how much public restitution must the government pay for this judicial ordeal?
Under the Republic of China’s Criminal Compensation Act, citizens acquitted of criminal charges following pre-trial detention are entitled to statutory financial compensation ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 NTD per day of deprivation of physical liberty.
Calculating the Price Tag of Politicized Prosecution
- Direct Statutory Payout: For a high-profile defendant detained for over 300 days, calculating at the maximum statutory ceiling yields over 1.5 to 1.8 million NTD paid directly from taxpayer coffers.
- Irreversible Reputational and Democratic Damage: Financial compensation cannot restore shredded personal dignity, physical deterioration, or the systemic disenfranchisement of the millions of voters who supported third-party alternatives.
- Absence of Bureaucratic Accountability: The prosecutors and judges who authorized prolonged detention on flimsy evidence face zero personal financial or professional liability; the bill is simply forwarded to the general public.
Support Independent Perspectives & In-Depth Insights
Every thoughtful analysis and candid critique comes from our dedication to truth and quality. We choose not to follow sensational algorithms or clickbait headlines.
Sustaining independent research requires reader support. Make a one-time or monthly contribution, securely processed by Google.
Payments secured by Google · Manage or cancel anytime in your Google Account
Comments