Hong Kong’s Department of Justice handed the investigation of a US$6.4 million business payout to Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to prosecutors yesterday as political fallout grows from mass protests calling for democracy in the China-controlled city.
Part of the brief includes “considering and deciding whether prosecution action is warranted” against Leung, who has refused to stand down in recent weeks over protesters’ calls for Beijing to keep its promise of universal suffrage.
The department said its decision was aimed at avoiding “any possible perception of bias, partiality or improper influence.”
Reuters
Democratic lawmakers had demanded that anti-graft officers investigate Leung, ratcheting up pressure on the pro-Beijing leader just days after tens of thousands occupied the streets of the Asian financial center.
The campaign against the former property surveyor and son of a policeman has extended from the streets to the city’s legislative chambers, where democrats have threatened to veto major decisions and potentially cause policy paralysis.
Australia’s Fairfax Media reported this week that engineering firm UGL Ltd paid Leung a total of US$6.4 million in 2012 and last year in relation to its acquisition of DTZ Holdings, a property consultant that employed Leung as its Asia Pacific director before he took office in July 2012.
Leung’s office denied any wrongdoing. DTZ was not immediately available to comment, while UGL said it was under no obligation to disclose the agreement.
Meanwhile,Hong Kong’s government called off talks with pro-democracy students yesterday aimed at ending more than a week of protests and mass sit-ins that have paralysed parts of the city.
“The basis for constructive dialogue has been undermined. It’s impossible to have a constructive meeting tomorrow,” Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥) said.
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