A court in South Korea has sentenced Samsung’s billionaire heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong to five years in prison for corruption. Mr Lee was accused of bribery in a scandal that also saw the impeachment of South Korea’s former president, Park Geun-hye.
The case has gripped the public amid growing anger against South Korea’s biggest companies, known as chaebols. Mr Lee, who denied all charges, had faced a jail sentence of up to 12 years.
Also known as Jay Y Lee, the de facto head of the world’s largest smartphone maker had been detained since February on a string of corruption charges. These included including bribery, embezzlement and hiding assets overseas.
The 49-year-old was accused of giving donations worth thirty-six billion dollars to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of South Korea’s former President, in return for political favours. A lawyer for Mr Lee has said already said they will appeal against the decision.
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