Donald Tsang found guilty of corruption

Donald Tsang, who faces up to seven years in
prison, is the most senior official to be found
guilty in a criminal trial.

Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's former leader, has escaped a
conviction of bribery in a trial that found guilty of
 misconduct during his time at the helm of the city.

Tsang, 72, is the most senior city official to be convicted in
 a criminal trial at a time when residents are losing faith in Hong Kong’s leaders.

The case is one of several recent scandals that have 
shaken public confidence and raised concerns about ties between Hong Kong's leaders and wealthy businessmen.

Tsang was found guilty on Friday of failing to disclose
 his plans to rent a luxury flat from a major investor of a
broadcaster, which was later granted a licence from the
government while he was leader.

However, he escaped a bribery charge over allegations he
 had taken the redecoration and refurbishment of the apartment as a kickback, after the jury failed to reach a decision on that count.


Tsang, who was granted bail, was also acquitted on 
another misconduct charge which alleged he had failed to declare that an architect he proposed for a government
 award had been employed as an interior designer on the flat.

Sentencing is due to take place on Monday. He faced up to
seven years in prison.

Al Jazeera's Divya Gopalan, reporting from Hong Kong, 
said: "This guilty verdict is seen as a conclusion to the rise 
and fall of the long-serving and once very popular civil servant.

"Tsang was the chief executive of Hong Kong for seven
 years before he stepped down in disgrace in 2012, even before he could finish his second term in office."

Our correspondent said the verdict came amid growing
frustration and protests over ties between politicians and
businesses, and has restored some faith in the city's
 judiciary system.

"The verdict sends the message that relations between
 the business community and authorities will be closely watched," she said.

Hong Kong, a global financial centre and a "special administrative region" of China, has served as a major hub 
for mainland capital since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.