Former chief executive Donald Tsang has submitted an appeal through his lawyers after the High Court sentenced him last month to 20 months in jail for misconduct in public office.

Tsang, 72, is the first leader of the city to be convicted in a criminal trial, and is currently serving at Stanley Prison.

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Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang reacts as he walks towards his car from the High Court after the jury found him guilty of misconduct in his high-profile corruption trial, in Hong Kong on February 17, 2017. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP.

He was found guilty of misconduct by a nine-person jury in an 8:1 vote. Tsang failed to disclose his plans to lease a luxury flat from a major investor of broadcaster DBC, which was later granted a licence from the government under his watch.

His other misconduct charge was unanimously dismissed by the jurors. The charge alleged that he failed to declare that an architect he proposed for a government medal was employed as an interior designer on the apartment.

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The High Court. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

The jury could not reach a majority decision on a third charge of bribery against Tsang, which alleged that he accepted the redecoration and refurbishment of the flat as a kickback. A retrial will be heard over this charge.

A pre-trial review will be heard by Mr Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai next Monday at 9:30am.

Kris Cheng is a Hong Kong journalist with an interest in local politics. His work has been featured in Washington Post, Public Radio International, Hong Kong Economic Times and others. He has a BSSc in Sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Kris is HKFP's Editorial Director.