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Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Pro-democracy activist Avery Ng jailed in Hong Kong over leaking ICAC investigation details, despite others convicted of same crime escaping prison

League of Social Democrats chairman gets custodial term because he showed ‘not a shred of remorse’, magistrate says

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Avery Ng will not be able to contest elections for the next five years. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Chris Lau

A pro-democracy activist was jailed for four months on Monday for divulging details of the city graft-buster’s investigation of a government official, despite most people convicted in similar cases dodging prison in recent decades.

However, Avery Ng Man-yuen deserved his punishment, Eastern Court magistrate Cheng Lim-chi said, as he showed “not a shred of remorse” for what he had done.

The jail term meant Ng, chairman of political party the League of Social Democrats, could not contest elections for the next five years.

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The 41-year-old was found guilty earlier this month on three counts of disclosing the identity of individuals being investigated, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
Avery Ng revealed that Betty Fung (right) was under scrutiny by the ICAC. Photo: Edmond So
Avery Ng revealed that Betty Fung (right) was under scrutiny by the ICAC. Photo: Edmond So
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He revealed on social media and to reporters that Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee – who was the permanent secretary for home affairs between July 2014 and March this year – was under scrutiny by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Cheng said that Ng’s disclosure did not stem from serving the public good as he claimed, but was aimed at raising his own profile.

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