Hong Kong protests: activist Edward Leung released early from prison under special security arrangements
- Leung was jailed for his role in a 2016 riot, and popularised the slogan ‘Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’, used by protesters before Beijing imposed a national security law
- Correctional authorities made special security arrangements ‘at the request of police and in light of the will and safety of the jailed person’
Activist Edward Leung Tin-kei, once the face of Hong Kong’s pro-independence movement, was released from prison early on Wednesday under special – if not unprecedented – security arrangements after serving four years behind bars.
Leung, whose six-year jail term over a 2016 riot was reduced for good behaviour, was ferried from Shek Pik Prison on Lantau Island shortly before 3am in a seven-seater van, escorted by two vehicles. Prison inmates are usually released at around 9am.
A few hours later, at 5.30am, a post on Leung’s Facebook page said he had “peacefully reunited with his family”.
“After a separation that lasted four years, I would treasure my valuable time with my family and return to a normal life with them,” the post said. “With a sincere heart, I thank each and every one for their care and love.”
Leung added that he would observe a supervision order under the law and “stay away from the spotlight”, “stop using my social media” and turn down visits and interview requests from the press.
His Facebook profile was deleted by 6.30am.
A spokesman from the Correctional Services Department said the restrictions were made “at the request of police and in light of the will and safety of the jailed person”.
Police said they would not reveal operational details.
A government source said the rare security arrangement was due to Leung’s status as a “sensitive figure” who could draw attention.
“Authorities believed the 30-year-old political figure would attract a large number of supporters as well as the media to the prison to wait for his release. This could create chaos and pose security risks. We don’t want that,” the source said.
The department’s website, meanwhile, stated that supervisory staff would help inmates lead law-abiding and industrious lives after release.
“Close supervision continues after release through regular visits made to the discharged person-in-custody’s home or workplace,” the website said.
Jailed Hong Kong activist Edward Leung ‘likely to be watched’ after early release
A release at such an early hour, alongside the arrangement of an escort, is considered unusual even for other high-profile political figures set free before Leung.
Student activist Agnes Chow Ting walked out of prison herself in June last year when she was released at the end of the sentence she had incurred over her involvement in a siege of the police headquarters during the 2019 anti-government protests. Her comrade, Joshua Wong Chi-fung, is currently detained under national security charges.
Any advocacy of Hong Kong’s independence is now banned under a sweeping national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, when Leung was still in prison.
Leung was jailed for his role in the 2016 Mong Kok riot, sparked by scuffles between street hawkers and municipal staff on the first day of Lunar New Year, which escalated into violent clashes between police and demonstrators.
He was sentenced in 2018 to six years in jail for rioting and assaulting an officer.
The activist also ran for a Legislative Council seat in 2016 as a member of the city’s pro-independence movement, popularising a slogan that was later adopted by anti-government protesters in 2019.
In the city’s first national security law trial last year, the phrase “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” was found by judges to be a potential indicator of secessionist ideas.
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Hundreds gather to support Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung’s appeal against Mong Kok riot jail sentence
Despite his reticence, some within Hong Kong’s pro-establishment camp expressed concern about Leung’s release, with one lawmaker taking the matter to Legco, questioning how authorities would deal with such influential figures once freed.
A government source earlier told the Post that given Leung’s record as a prominent activist, it “made sense” that law enforcement agencies, including those responsible for national security, would be watching him.
