Hong Kong’s anti-graft watchdog charges 5 over alleged plot to help 2 inmates receive reduced sentences
Hong Kong Free Press
Five people have been charged in Hong Kong for perversion of justice and money laundering, including a man who allegedly received HK$1.5 million to stage crimes when he was on remand so that two fellow detainees could tip off the police in exchange for shorter sentence in their separate cases.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Tuesday said it had arrested and charged Sammy Wong, 39, who was an inmate of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, and four others over their roles in allegedly arranging arms, explosives or dangerous drugs to be concealed at two premises.
The anti-graft watchdog said Wong became acquainted with two other inmates when he was held at the reception centre between September 2021 and May 2022. The duo were involved in separate robbery and dangerous drugs trafficking cases and were at the reception centre pending appearances at the High Court.
The ICAC alleged that Wong instructed his girlfriend Lau Chun-yee, 27, and an associate Kwan Yu-hin, 24, to arrange the concealment of unlawful arms, explosives or dangerous drugs at two premises, where two persons would be present.
It said the two inmates facing the High Court cases would then expose the crime to the police, so they could apply for reduced sentences.
The two inmates and their family members allegedly paid a total of HK$1.5 million to Wong in exchange for the arrangements.
Wong, Lau, and Kwan face two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice over the alleged scheme.
The ICAC also said that Wong had provided HK$319,500 to two other associates – Wan Chin-pang, 27, and Cheng Lok-lam, 24 – to help coordinate the alleged scheme. Wan and Cheng have been charged with one count of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence.”
The five will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday, pending the transfer of their case to the District Court for plea.
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