Corruption charges dropped for Hong Kong singer, activist

Prosecutors in Hong Kong have dropped corruption charges against a prominent singer and pro-democracy activist, after initially accusing him of providing entertainment to sway voters in a legislative by-election

HONG KONG -- Prosecutors in Hong Kong on Thursday dropped corruption charges against a prominent singer and pro-democracy activist, after initially accusing him of providing entertainment to sway voters in a legislative by-election. Anthony Wong, a Cantonese pop singer, as well as former lawmaker Au Nok-hin were both asked to pay a guarantee in the sum of 2,000 Hong Kong dollars ($257) each, and were given a binding over order of 18 months during which they must be on good behavior. Wong and Au were both arrested earlier this week by Hong Kong’s corruption watchdog over accusations that a performance Wong gave at a political rally held by Au in 2018 violated the elections ordinance. Wong, 59, had performed two songs at the 2018 rally and urged attendees to vote for pro-democracy candidate Au Nok-hin in a legislative by-election. Au, who won the election, was also charged in part for publicizing the rally on social media and saying that Wong would be performing.