Bribery appeal fails

– Hong Kong property tycoon Thomas Kwok and ex-deputy leader Rafael Hui will serve out their jail terms after their final appeal bids against graft convictions were dismissed yesterday.

The pair were found guilty of corruption in 2014 after a blockbuster trial over a cashfor-favours scandal.

In a written judgment, the Court of Final Appeal ruled that they had been “properly convicted”.

The offence is “conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office”.

Kwok had been on bail since July pending the appeal, but will now be back behind bars.

Former chief secretary Hui, 69, is the highest-ranking official in Hong Kong’s history to be found guilty of taking bribes.

The seven-month trial centred on HK$34 million (R55.5 million) which the prosecution said was paid to Hui by Kwok and his billionaire brother Raymond, to be their “eyes and ears” in government. – AFP