Ko Wen-je, once a rising star in Taiwanese politics and a presidential contender, was indicted Thursday on corruption charges. The 65-year-old is accused of accepting half a million dollars in bribes involving a real estate dealing during his term as mayor of Taipei, as well as misreporting campaign finances during his run for president in January.

The prosecutors asserted that Ko Wen-je, a former mayor, took bribes. He and his supporters have maintained that the charges are a political vendetta.

Taiwan prosecutors on Thursday indicted former presidential candidate Ko Wen-je on charges of corruption and misusing political donations and said they were seeking 28 years' jail for him.