Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang speaks of his ‘many heartaches’ after being released on bail
Disgraced former chief executive greeted by wife after judge lets him out of jail pending appeal
The disgraced former chief executive, who is appealing against his conviction for misconduct in office, was released on HK$100,000 bail and ordered not to leave Hong Kong.
“During this time, of course I experienced many heartaches that cannot be described in writing,” he said as he walked out of the High Court with noticeably greyer hair, although a free man – for now. “But ... I still believe in Hongkongers, I still love Hong Kong. Thank you all.”
In February, Tsang was convicted and jailed for 20 months for failing to declare his negotiations with a businessman over a penthouse in Shenzhen.
He had lodged an appeal earlier against his conviction and sentence, and successfully applied for bail at the Court of Appeal on Monday while awaiting a hearing.
Tsang, a devout Catholic, thanked his legal team as well as the public and multiple religious groups in Hong Kong, Canada and Britain for their support and sympathy.
“They believed that I was innocent,” he said.