HONG KONG (Reuters) - Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang, the highest-ranking ex-official to be charged in the city's history, was jailed for 20 months on Wednesday for misconduct in public office, a ruling some said reaffirmed the financial hub's vaunted rule of law. Scores of establishment Hong Kong figures, including top former officials and some leading opposition democrats, had written letters vouching for Tsang's good character and longstanding public service over four decades in a bid for mitigation ahead of sentencing. He reduced the sentence by 10 months, saying that "it was indisputable that the defendant has dedicated himself to public service in the last past 40 odd years". Hong Kong returned to China under a "one country, two systems" agreement that ensured its freedoms, including a separate legal system. The nine-person jury on Friday found Tsang guilty of a charge of misconduct in public office.

Source: The Star February 22, 2017 02:45 UTC