Protester Huang within TPP denies charges of organizing rally assault

In a rally last weekend, supporters of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) clashed with police, marking the one-year anniversary of a sweeping raid by Taipei prosecutors on the party's former chairman, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je. Ko, a surgeon and politician, was arrested on corruption allegations related to his time as mayor and misreporting campaign finances during the 2024 presidential election. He was indicted in December 2024 and resigned the same month, with TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang taking over on January 1, 2025.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has expressed concern over Ko's detention, suggesting it could be an attempt to pressure him into giving testimony. Chiang stated that it is hard to believe that the former chairman of a major political party could be detained for so long in Taiwan or any democratic country.

Huang Kuo-chang has accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), President William Lai, and Premier Cho Jung-tai of using the legal system to silence the opposition. He claimed that if they believe they can silence the opposition by abusing the legal system, they are wrong. The DPP had previously called for the Assembly and Parade Act to be abolished, but Huang argues that they are now using it as a tool of oppression.

The investigation into Ko's alleged contravention of the Assembly and Parade Act and the Criminal Code is in connection with the incident that occurred during the rally. However, no photographic evidence is provided in the article. TPP spokeswoman Wu Yi-hsuan disputed allegations that police were attacked during the rally.

Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo stated that the Assembly and Parade Act would not be changed to allow people attending a rally to "attack the police." She emphasised that the law is in place to ensure public safety and order.

Amidst the tension, Huang Kuo-chang asserted that opposition voices would only grow louder. Chiang Wan-an implied that Taiwanese people fear they could also face such treatment. The future of Taiwan's political landscape remains uncertain as these events unfold.

Additional reporting was done by Kan Meng-lin and Tsai Kai-heng.