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Donald Tsang will appeal his conviction. Photo: David Wong

Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang appeals against misconduct conviction and jail sentence

Former chief executive still faces retrial on another charge

Donald Tsang

Former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen on Thursday lodged appeals against his conviction for misconduct and 20-month jail sentence, while also applying for bail.

Tsang, 72, became the city’s highest-ranked official to be convicted and jailed, following a high-profile jury trial that concluded last month.

A source close to Tsang told the Post that his lawyers had filed an appeal.

Court records showed the appeal was made against both his conviction and sentence.

A Department of Justice spokeswoman confirmed that prosecutors received the notice of appeal.

The judiciary’s website also showed that the former leader applied for bail pending the appeals, with a three-hour hearing listed for April 6.

Tsang, who is now in solitary confinement at Stanley Prison, also faces a retrial tentatively set for September over a bribery charge on which the jury failed to reach a verdict.

A short pretrial review for that case is scheduled for next Monday before trial judge Mr Justice ­Andrew Chan Hing-wai.

Following Tsang’s sentencing last month, his wife of almost 50 years, Selina Tsang Pou Siu-mei, said: “Over the past five years, we were subjected to a lot of trouble and pressure. We are therefore very sad. But we will toughen up and face it courageously. We will appeal.”

Her husband was convicted of one count of misconduct in public office for failing to disclose a conflict of interest when he ­approved three applications from radio broadcaster Wave Media between 2010 and 2012, including a request for a digital broadcast licence.

The nine jurors cleared Tsang of a second misconduct charge of failing to disclose his connection with interior designer Barrie Ho Chow-lai when recommending Ho for an honour. The designer worked on plans for Tsang’s planned Shenzhen home.

But the jury could not agree on a third count of accepting an ­advantage as chief executive, over Tsang’s alleged receipt of HK$3.35 million worth of renovations on the luxury home as a bribe for ­approving the Wave Media ­applications.

Additional reporting by Chris Lau

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Tsang files appeal against conviction
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