The High Court has granted the bail application of former chief executive Donald Tsang on Monday.
Tsang, 72, was sentenced in February to 20 months in prison for misconduct in public office. After spending less than two months in Stanley Prison, Tsang was granted bail pending an appeal against his conviction.
The former chief executive was sent to Queen Mary Hospital two weeks ago after complaining of breathing difficulties. On Monday, he was taken to the High Court from the hospital by a prison car.
It was the second time Tsang was hospitalised while in custody. In February, he was sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital just hours after arriving at the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre upon his conviction. He complained of chest pain and breathing problems.
His wife Selina Tsang told reporters outside the court that Tsang suffers from deteriorating health.
Tsang was found guilty of misconduct by a nine-person jury in an 8:1 vote. He 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.
Another misconduct charge was unanimously dismissed by jurors. The charge alleged that Tsang failed to declare that an architect he proposed for a government medal was employed as an interior designer on the apartment.
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. The retrial is scheduled for September 26. A pre-trial review takes place on May 12.
