Singapore’s former transport minister convicted of receiving gifts while in office.

Singapore’s former transport minister Subramanian Iswaran has been convicted of receiving gifts while in office, after he pleaded guilty before a local court.

Subramanian aged 62, was originally charged with corruption, but prosecutors amended these charges at what was supposed to be the start of his trial today.

A corruption case involving a public official is rare in Singapore, a financial hub that prides itself with its squeaky clean image, and Iswaran’s case has gripped the nation.

He faces a fine or up to two years in jail for each charge of receiving gifts or gratifications, compared to a corruption conviction that carries a fine of up to $100,000 or up to seven years in prison.

Charge sheets revealed that he was gifted more than S$403,000 ($311,882; £234,586) worth of flights, hotel stays, musicals and grand prix tickets.

Shortly after the charges were issued in January, Iswaran pleaded not guilty to all the allegations and quit his post in government, saying he would focus on clearing his name.