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Thomas and Raymond Kwok charged in corruption scandal Thomas and Raymond Kwok charged in corruption scandal
(about 2 hours later)
Two billionaire property developers in Hong Kong have been charged with bribery-related offences in a high-profile corruption case.Two billionaire property developers in Hong Kong have been charged with bribery-related offences in a high-profile corruption case.
Thomas and Raymond Kwok are currently in court where charges are being read. Authorities allege Thomas and Raymond Kwok gave bribes in exchange for information on land sales between 2005 and 2007.
Authorities allege they gave bribes in exchange for information on land sales between 2005 and 2007. The brothers have previously denied the allegations.
Rafael Hui, formerly Hong Kong's second highest ranking government official, has also been charged.Rafael Hui, formerly Hong Kong's second highest ranking government official, has also been charged.
The Kwok brothers head Sun Hung Kai Properties, Asia's most valuable real estate company. The Kwoks head Sun Hung Kai Properties, Asia's most valuable real estate firm.
The brothers have denied the allegations.
The Hong Kong media turned out in force to see five of the city's most powerful men face a judge at the Eastern Magistrates Court on graft charges.The Hong Kong media turned out in force to see five of the city's most powerful men face a judge at the Eastern Magistrates Court on graft charges.
No pleas were entered. Four of the men walked past the crowd of journalists and into their cars. Only Raymond Kwok faced the cameras to declare his innocence.No pleas were entered. Four of the men walked past the crowd of journalists and into their cars. Only Raymond Kwok faced the cameras to declare his innocence.
The corruption case is the biggest Hong Kong has ever seen. Long-time politics watchers tell me they are in shock that men at the top of the political and business elite like Mr Hui and the Kwok brothers would be held to account in this manner.The corruption case is the biggest Hong Kong has ever seen. Long-time politics watchers tell me they are in shock that men at the top of the political and business elite like Mr Hui and the Kwok brothers would be held to account in this manner.
The media circus will begin again in October, when the trial resumes. Already, there is talk of wider political fallout.The media circus will begin again in October, when the trial resumes. Already, there is talk of wider political fallout.
The new chief executive CY Leung will be under even more pressure to tackle misbehaviour among government officials. Earlier this week, a minister resigned after being arrested by the anti-corruption watchdog over a property scandal.The new chief executive CY Leung will be under even more pressure to tackle misbehaviour among government officials. Earlier this week, a minister resigned after being arrested by the anti-corruption watchdog over a property scandal.
Their net worth is in the tens of billions of dollars, reports the BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong. Their firm is behind two of the tallest buildings in Hong Kong, a place known for its towering skyscrapers.Their net worth is in the tens of billions of dollars, reports the BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong. Their firm is behind two of the tallest buildings in Hong Kong, a place known for its towering skyscrapers.
The brothers appeared before the city's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) earlier on Friday. The two men left without making any comments. The brothers appeared before the city's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) earlier on Friday.
'Light will shine'
"I believe I have not done anything wrong and that the Hong Kong judiciary system is fair. I will fight the accusations and I hope it will prove my innocence," said Raymond Kwok outside the court, according to the AFP news agency.
He said he had turned to yoga to deal with the situation. "I want to encourage people to learn yoga because it can help you to relax and it has helped me to face the challenge in these few months," he added.
Meanwhile, his brother Thomas said he would rely on his Christian faith to fight the case, quoting from the Bible the phrase: "Light will shine in the darkness."
Mr Hui, the Kwok brothers and two other businessmen face eight charges including conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant and misconduct in public office.Mr Hui, the Kwok brothers and two other businessmen face eight charges including conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant and misconduct in public office.
The above offences allegedly took place between June 2000 and January 2009, said an ICAC statement.The above offences allegedly took place between June 2000 and January 2009, said an ICAC statement.
The brothers were taken into custody in March but are free on bail. All five men were charged with the offences related to payments and unsecured loans amounting to HK$34m ($4.38m, £2.84m).
The brothers were taken into custody in March, but are free on bail.
Trading in shares of Sun Hung Kai was suspended shortly after the markets opened in Hong Kong.Trading in shares of Sun Hung Kai was suspended shortly after the markets opened in Hong Kong.
Their prosecution set in train the highest-profile corruption case the city has ever seen, at a time of widespread anger about perceived collusion between the government and property tycoons, says our correspondent. The pair's prosecution set in train the highest-profile corruption case the city has ever seen, at a time of widespread anger about perceived collusion between the government and property tycoons, says our correspondent.
Scandal in the city
The scandal risks tarnishing Hong Kong's reputation as one of the least corrupt places in the world, according to Transparency International.
The charge came just a day after Hong Kong's development secretary was arrested, along with three others, on corruption charges following allegations they abused government housing allowances.
Mak Chai-kwong has since stepped down, dealing a fresh blow to the government of Leung Chun-ying, the city's new leader.
Mr Leung himself is embroiled in a scandal over six illegal structures at his $64m luxury residence in the exclusive Peak district.
He was chosen as Hong Kong's new leader by a committee of 1,200 business leaders and other influential citizens mostly loyal to Beijing after an unusually turbulent campaign in March.
The Chinese government switched its support to him after a string of scandals hit early front-runner Henry Tang, who was also said to have had an illegal basement at his home.
But last week, a group of lawmakers filed a judicial review, asking a judge to overturn the election result, as well as an election petition.