Hong Kong’s former chief secretary Rafael Hui was sentenced by the High Court to seven-and-a-half years in jail for corruption and misconduct convictions today, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hui, 66, was convicted of five counts of misconduct and corruption, making him the highest-ranking official in Hong Kong’s history to be convicted of taking bribes.

Each count carries a maximum prison term of seven years and a fine.

Sun Hung Kai Properties tycoon Thomas Kwok was sentenced to five years and fined HK$500,000 (US$64,452) after he was found guilty of paying Hui HK$8.5 million (US$1.10 million) in bribes.

Hui is a former chief secretary for administration of Hong Kong and career civil servant.

He was arrested in March 2012 by the Independent Commission Against Corruption on suspicion of corruption.  

- Bernama