It’s official: jailed billionaire Thomas Kwok is going to have one last stab at wiggling his way out of five years in jail.
The former co-chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties – who was jailed last week along with former government deputy Rafael Hui in Hong Kong’s highest level graft case ever – is appealing against his conviction.
After months in court, the 63-year-old was found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office by making an illegal payment of HKD8.5 million to Hui, 66. Hui was also jailed for 7.5 years after being found guilty of five out of eight charges against him, while former Sun Kai Properties Executive Director Thomas Chan, 68, was jailed for six years, and former trader Francis Hung, 64, for five.
Kwok’s appeal is expected to focus on the High Court judge’s directions to the jurors, whereby he told them there was no need to identify evidence that Hui granted Kwok favours while in office. Questions are also likely to be asked about why the jurors unanimously acquitted Kowk of giving Hui HKD5 million in April 2005, but found him guilty of paying him HKD8.5 million two months later.
The defence claims both incidents were payment for Hui’s work as a “consultant” for Sun Hung Kai Properties, while the prosecution claims they were bribes.
According to the SCMP, the Court of Appeal will likely set a date for the hearing next month.
Photo: AFP
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