Disgraced former Hong Kong No 2 official Rafael Hui a no-show at appeal hearing over multimillion-dollar bribery conviction
The city's former No2 official Rafael Hui Si-yan did not show up on Wednesday for a hearing on an appeal against his multimillion-dollar bribery conviction.
It is understood the ex-chief secretary wrote to the Court of Appeal seeking exemption from attending the directions hearing - part of preparations for his appeal to be heard in November - and the court accepted.
It was not clear why Hui, currently serving a 7½-year jail sentence at Stanley Prison, shied away from the session.
Billionaire and former co-chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong, former SHKP executive director Thomas Chan Kui-yuen, and former stock exchange official Francis Kwan Hung-sang - all also accused in Hui's trial last year - were present for the half-hour session in the afternoon.
Media reports suggested Hui wanted to "avoid travelling". Speculation had been rife before his trial began in May last year that his health had been declining. But neither Hui's lawyer, Edwin Choy Wai-bond, nor the prosecution would confirm the reason for his no-show.
Criminal lawyer Stephen Hung Wan-shun, who is not involved in the case, said if a person is legally represented then some judges may dispense with the need for him or her to appear at a directions hearing.
Hui was convicted in December of five charges, including three of misconduct in public office, for concealing HK$16.5 million in benefits he received.
He was also found guilty of pocketing HK$8.5 million from Kwok via Chan and Kwan.
Kwok, sentenced to five years in jail for conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, appeared energetic on Wednesday, but both he and his former loyal subordinate, Chan, had rather more white hair then before their conviction. Kwan and Chan are serving five and six years respectively for handling HK$11.18 million in bribes.
Kwok's son, Adam Kwok Kai-fai, said his father was "eating simpler" and studying theology.
"Dad is physically and mentally healthier than before," he said outside court.
In the hearing, Court of Appeal Vice-President Mr Justice Michael Lunn said lawyers representing the four men would have to file submissions for the appeal by September 25.
A seven-day appeal hearing has been scheduled to start on November 2.
