Avery Ng Found Guilty Over ICAC Probe Leaks

League of Social Democrats chairman Avery Ng was remanded in custody on Friday after being found guilty of disclosing the identity of a government official who was the subject of an ICAC investigation.

In April 2016, local media reported that a top SAR official was suspected of having a conflict of interest over an exchange of properties with a tycoon.

Ng filed a complaint against the official with the ICAC and later revealed to media outlets and social media that the anti-graft watchdog had started a probe against the official, who he named.

Eastern Magistracy held that Ng had knowingly disclosed to the public that an ICAC investigation was taking place without a reasonable excuse.

Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi pointed out that an ICAC investigator had repeatedly told Ng not to reveal information about the investigation and he rejected Ng's claim that he did not remember being given such a warning.

The magistrate ruled that Ng had not disclosed the information because he believed it was in the public interest, but because he wanted to advance his own interests.

Cheng also noted that Ng had not shown any remorse, adding that he would use a four-month prison term a starting point for sentencing, which is expected to take place on May 28.