After being handed a heavy 17-year sentence at first instance, former Taiwan People's Party chairman Ko Wen-je flatly denied misappropriating political donations as his appeal opened — an important chance to overturn the verdict for him and his supporters, and a source of pressure for prosecutors.

• The High Court held its first preparatory hearing, summoning Ko Wen-je and three other defendants to appear.
• The case is divided into several major parts, including the Core Pacific City bribery allegations, the misappropriation of political donations, and the misuse of foundation funds; the court decided to try them separately, working from the simpler to the more complex.
• After the hearing, Ko Wen-je hit back at prosecutors for "shooting the arrow first and then drawing the target," calling it a judicial witch-hunt, and demanded that the court livestream and open up the proceedings.
• Dozens of supporters gathered at the courthouse entrance shouting messages of support, and party staff handed out watches bearing satirical slogans — though that batch of support watches was made in China.

Outlook: The court will first sort out the disputed issues and the evidence; substantive hearings and a decision on whether to allow a livestream will have to wait for later court dates.