A Taiwanese appeals court has upheld heavy prison terms for a KMT political family over a rigged sale of public market land, a blow to the party in New Taipei ahead of local elections.

• Former Zhonghe mayor Chiu Chui-yi got 10 years and his son, sitting New Taipei city councillor Chiu Feng-yao, got three and a half years for profiteering.
• The 2007 deal involved city-owned land at the Anle public market, sold off through a tender that was set up to favour insiders.
• Prosecutors said the pair hid plans to force out stallholders and jointly develop the site, deliberately lowballed the land valuation, and used terms that shut out rival builders.
• The gain to themselves and a friendly developer was put at more than NT$82 million; two former local council leaders were also convicted.
• Chiu Feng-yao rejects the ruling, plans a further appeal, and says he will still run for office.

Outlook: The case can go to the Supreme Court, so the councillor is likely to stay in his seat and on the ballot while the appeal drags on.