Former Civic Party lawmaker Mandy Tam Heung-man was arrested by the ICAC yesterday and charged with offering voters a free seminar in an attempt to gain their votes.
Reacting to her arrest yesterday, Tam told RTHK: 'It is very clear I am being prosecuted for political reasons. I will explain details at the court hearing.'
Tax adviser Tam will appear in Eastern Court tomorrow to face a charge of engaging in corrupt conduct in the 2008 Legislative Council elections, in which she stood for and lost the accountancy functional constituency seat.
The offence, under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, carries a maximum fine of HK$500,000 and seven years' jail. Tam, 53, was granted bail yesterday.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption said: 'The defendant is alleged to have offered an advantage, namely service in the form of a free seminar to other persons as an inducement for them to vote for her at the election.'
The election was held on September 7, two days after the seminar.