Ko Wen-je, former Taipei mayor and recent presidential candidate, was indicted on Thursday on corruption charges, including allegations of accepting $500,000 in bribes linked to a real estate deal during his mayoral tenure. He is also accused of misreporting campaign finances from his presidential bid earlier this year.

Prosecutors are seeking a maximum sentence of 28.5 years for Ko, who has denied the allegations.

The indictment deals a significant blow to the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which Ko founded as an alternative to Taiwan’s dominant political parties, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT).

Ko, who captured over 25% of the vote in January’s presidential election, had positioned himself as a viable “third choice” in Taiwan’s polarized political arena. His strong showing highlighted public appetite for more political diversity.

However, Ko’s arrest, coupled with charges against several TPP members for allegedly misappropriating political donations, casts doubt on his political future and the party’s trajectory.

Political observers note that while Ko’s rise reflected a desire for change among Taiwanese voters, the corruption allegations may overshadow his achievements and reshape his legacy in Taiwan’s political history.