The former chief executive was charged with a conflict of interest. The sentence was reduced from 20 to 12 months. Some political rivals express their friendship and esteem.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – Hong Kong's former chief executive, Donald Tsang, was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital today, shortly after his appeal against his conviction in corruption-related misconduct cases was rejected.
Tsang was imprisoned last year for not disclosing his plan to take a three-storey luxury penthouse in a posh neighbourhood in Shenzhen on the mainland, where he wanted to spend his life after retirement.
It was revealed that the owner of the flat was the wealthy mainland tycoon Bill Wong Cho-bau, the largest investor in a radio station who later obtained a license in Hong Kong.
Tsang was accused of conflict of interest, having exchanged permits for the radio with the use of the apartment.
After his conviction last year, Tsang spent two months in prison and was released on bail in April for poor health.
Today, after the conviction that would have sent him back to prison, Tsang was taken to hospital by ambulance.
While confirming the sentence, the court reduced it from 20 to 12 months and ordered him to pay 1 million Hong Kong dollars in legal fees. The prosecution had requested that he pay 4.6 million.
According to the prosecutors, Tsang was guilty of abuse of power in the pursuit of private interests.
Tsang, a devout Catholic, served as chief executive from 2005 to 2012. All the charges against him stem from the period in which he held office.
Today, at the courthouse, several supporters, including political opponents, showed up to express their esteem and friendship. Among these was former democratic lawmakers Albert Ho Chun-yan and Lee Wing-tat.