Former airport security head sues ICAC over seized documents

The sacked head of security at Hong Kong International Airport is suing the Independent Commission Against Corruption for seizing documents from him in the latest development since he was taken in for questioning in June.

Sidney Chau Foo-cheong, 63, former executive director of the Aviation Security Company (Avseco), says the anti-graft agency took possession of documents on June 25 to which it had no right.

Earlier, Chau faced allegations that he claimed about HK$760,000 in overtime pay without proper board approval between 2008 and February this year. He was also accused of a conflict of interest by awarding around HK$23 million worth of renovation contracts to a decorating firm that he regularly hired to carry out works at his home.

Chau was arrested and then dismissed from Avseco on August 7.

In a High Court writ, he claimed that the documents were covered by legal professional privilege - which protected communication between a legal adviser and his clients - and should be returned.

He also claimed that the documents fell outside the scope of a search warrant granted by a magistrate, and had therefore been retained by the ICAC without lawful authority.