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Donald Tsang, Hong Kong’s former leader, has been charged with misconduct in public office after an investigation into his close links with the city’s tycoons during his seven years in power.
The highest-profile official to be charged with corruption since Hong Kong was returned to Chinese control in 1997, Mr Tsang faces a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment if found guilty.
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The 70-year-old former civil servant, who ended his second term as chief executive in 2012, is due to appear in court on Monday afternoon to hear the charges read out, according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The charges relate to his failure to disclose the fact that while chief executive of Hong Kong he leased an apartment in Shenzhen, a neighbouring Chinese city, from a businessman whose company was also applying to the government for licences.
Mr Tsang said he was innocent of the charges, in a statement given to the South China Morning Post, a local newspaper.
“My conscience is clear,” he said. “I have every confidence that the court will exonerate me after its proceedings.”
The case is the latest high-level action brought by Hong Kong’s ICAC. Last year Thomas Kwok, one of the city’s richest tycoons, was jailed for five years after being found guilty of bribing one of the city’s top officials.
An investigation into Mr Tsang’s dealings was launched following allegations that he received inappropriate favours from business tycoons.
Mr Tsang, who is known for his trademark bow tie, has previously said he did take some trips on private jets and on yachts while in office but he denied any conflict of interest.
A career civil servant in Hong Kong under British rule, Mr Tsang was chief executive between 2005 and 2012, taking over after his predecessor Tung Chee-hwa was forced to step down following street protests against unpopular policies