A woman was charged by the ICAC today (November 28) with offering bribes to officers of the Immigration Department (ImmD) for granting permission to her to enter Hong Kong.

Weng Shiping, 68, a Mainland resident, faced two counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Upon receipt of a complaint referred by ImmD on Saturday (November 26) alleging the woman of offering bribes to two officers of ImmD at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, ICAC officers were deployed to the scene. The woman was arrested for allegedly committing the bribery offences.

Having sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, the ICAC officers laid the charges against the woman, and brought her to the Eastern Magistracy today.

No plea was taken. Acting Principal Magistrate Mr Joseph To Ho-shing remanded the defendant in the custody of Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre until December 5, 2016 for review of her bail conditions and until December 12 for plea at the Fanling Magistracy.

One of the charges alleged that on November 26, 2016, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered HK ,000 to an Acting Senior Immigration Assistant of ImmD as a reward for granting permission to her to enter Hong Kong.

The other charge alleged that on the same day, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered HK ,000 to an Immigration Officer of ImmD for the same purpose.

ImmD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Stella Lau.