Hong Kong, Dec 23 (IANS): Hong Kong's former chief secretary Rafael Hui was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years imprisonment on graft charges by the High Court Tuesday.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of HKD $11 million (about $1.4 million) to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Xinhua reported.

Hui was convicted of misconduct and corruption, making him the highest ranking official in Hong Kong's history to be found guilty of receiving bribes.

Each count carries a maximum prison term of seven years as well as a fine.

The judge said the ruling was made after considering mitigation arguments in court Monday, including a plea of leniency from former chief executive Donald Tsang.

Sun Hung Kai Properties tycoon, Thomas Kwok, 63, was also jailed for five years and fined HKD $500,000 as he was found guilty of paying Hui HKD $8.5 million in bribes.

Another two middlemen involved in the scandal - Thomas Chan and Francis Kwan - were sentenced to six and five year jail terms.

Hui was arrested in March 2012 by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Hui and Kwok's trial began in June.