Hong Kong singer Anthony Wong was incarcerated by Hong Kong’s anti-corruption commission on Monday (Aug 2nd) for ‘corrupt conduct’ after he performed songs at a political rally back in 2018.
According to The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the singer had engaged in “entertainment to induce others to vote” and providing food and drinks for attendees as a means to influence their vote for pro-democracy activist Au Nok-hin in a 2018 legislative council by-election.
“The charge alleges that on March 3, 2018, Au and Wong engaged in corrupt conduct at the 2018 LegCo By-election for Hong Kong Island Geographical Constituency by providing entertainment, namely a singing performance, for another person for the purpose of inducing the other person to vote for Au at the election,” stated the ICAC, adding that the singer had breached the Elections Corrupt and Illegal Conduct Ordinance.
“At the rally, Wong performed two songs on stage. At the end of the performance, he appealed to the participants of the rally to vote for Au at the election.”
Under Hong Kong law, it is illegal to use food, drink, or entertainment for the purpose of influencing who a person may choose to cast their votes for. If convicted, the 59-year-old could face up to seven years in jail and fined a total of $HK500,000 ($87,000).
Wong was released on bail later that day. Au is currently in prison over his participation in a 2019 opposition primary on top of Monday’s case, and is awaiting trial on National Security charges. Both are due to enter pleas in court on Thursday.
