Taipei: The Taiwan Shilin District Court on Thursday overturned its previous decision and ruled to detain Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun (???) for alleged misappropriation of public funds.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chen, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is suspected of fraudulently claiming assistant salaries with her assistant, surnamed Chang (?), between 2019 and 2025, amassing over NT$3 million. Prosecutors have raised concerns about Chen's significant influence due to her position and her familiarity with witnesses involved in the case. It was also noted that co-defendants have been defending her actions while she has instructed her subordinates on dealing with legal authorities.

The court highlighted discrepancies between the statements made by Chen and other witnesses, emphasizing the need for further corroboration with accomplices and witnesses. Initially, the Taiwan Shilin Prosecutors Office requested that Chen and her assistant be detained and held incommunicado due to fears of collusion with accomplices and witnesses. However, Chen had been released on bail of NT$1 million (US$30,521) on February 13, while her assistant Chang was held incommunicado.

Prosecutors appealed the court's initial decision to the Taiwan High Court, which reversed the ruling and sent the case back to the district court. Consequently, the district court ordered Chen's detention and incommunicado status on Thursday at 3 p.m.