He Zhiping (left), who was wearing a blue short -sleeved suit, cried several times in the court, and his lawyer Rosenberger comforted.(Reuters)
Former director of the Hong Kong Civil Affairs Bureau, He Zhiping, was sentenced to three years and fined 540,000 yuan in the New York court. Hong Kong's political circles described this as a light sentence, but the US Department of Justice continued to criticize the crime.
He Zhiping, former director of the Hong Kong Civil Affairs Bureau, who was accused of bribing African politicians, was sentenced to three years and fined 400,000 US dollars (540,000 yuan) in the New York Court.The crime is shameful.
For 16 months of deducting the interrogation period, it is estimated that He Zhiping actually only needs to go to jail for more than a year. He sent a message through a friend to say that he will return to Hong Kong next year.Many institutionalists frankly breathed a sigh of relief, describing the clouds and fog to see Qingtian.
Before the judge was sentenced to sentence, he was particularly appreciated by himself. He wearing a blue short -sleeved prisoner several times, he cried several times, emphasizing the blame, and was very sorry and affected his family. He also thanked the ruler and prisoners for their care.Safety.He bowed to the judge for gratitude and gratitude.
When the judge was sentenced, it was a very serious crime to bribe the President of African countries, but He Zhiping had little chance of re -commitment, and the three -year sentence was enough.Moreover, He Zhiping once saw the light for strangers. During the prisoner, he played the violin to bring music to the penalty center and helped prisoners to tuition.These are extraordinary things.
He Zhiping's representative lawyer did not respond to whether he appealed, but only said that he was measured.The lawyer believes that the punishment he faces is better than similar cases.The legal community analyzed that even if he appealed, he had only 10%of the opportunity, and it was not necessarily unpopulated.
Tan Yaozong, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the Hong Kong District, said that the case was a great trouble and stress in the case, so when he heard the judgment, he felt a big stone;It is also agreed that this is a light judgment.
Lin Shunchao, a Hong Kong ophthalmologist who regarded He Zhiping as a teacher, was excited, because the sentence was far lighter than expected.Lin Shunchao expects why he can stand up again; and praise He for contributing to medicine, I believe that there is still great promise after returning to Hong Kong.
He Zhiping devoted himself to public diplomacy after he stepped down in 2007 and joined the China Energy Foundation as executive vice chairman and secretary -general. He carried out exchanges with Africa and Eastern European countries in the United Nations to seek oil business opportunities.The foundation was established by China Huaxin Energy of China private enterprises.
Ye Jianming, chairman of Huaxin, was regarded as the behind -the -scenes gold owner of the foundation, but the foundation stopped operation after being arrested.Ye Jianming was investigated by Wang Sanyun, the former secretary of the provincial party committee of Gansu last year; Lu Xiang'an, deputy secretary general of the foundation of the former chief executive Dong Jianhua's family member, died of illness in February last year.
He Zhiping's criminals occurred from 2014 to 2017, respectively, and the bribes involved reached 2.9 million US dollars.In the Uganda case, he provided benefits to the then President of the United Nations General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, to the President of Ukraine Yoweri Museveni.
In terms of the Chad case, He Zhiping met former Senegal's former Foreign Minister Cheikh Gadio in the United Nations, and was bribed by Idriss Deby.Since then, Gadio switched to a stain witness.
He Zhiping was ultimately charged with eight crimes, including violations of overseas anti -corruption laws and money laundering.As of December last year, seven crimes were ruled.The legal community has estimated that if the seven crimes are implemented in installments, it can be prison for up to 65 years.
(Reporter is Lianhe Morning News Hong Kong Specialist)
