A court in South Korea has sentenced Samsung's billionaire heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong to five years in prison for corruption.
Lee Jae-yong arriving at Seoul Central District Court. Photo: AFP
Mr Lee was accused of bribery in a scandal that also saw the impeachment of South Korea's former president.
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.
Mr Lee, also known as Jay Y Lee, had been detained since February on a string of corruption charges including bribery, embezzlement and hiding assets overseas.
He was accused of giving donations worth 41bn won ($US36m) to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of South Korea's former President Park Geun-hye, in return for political favours.
A lawyer for Mr Lee said they will appeal against the decision.
"We are confident the ruling will be overturned," lawyer Song Wu-cheol told reporters after the ruling, according to Reuters.
- BBC
