Fight to have 'victimised' boy in detention released

A divorcee is fighting to have her mainland-born son released from a boy's home, where she says he is being victimised while awaiting judgment on whether he must leave Hong Kong.

Zhang Chaojie, nine, has been in detention since Christmas Eve, five days before a removal order was issued, a writ says.

His appeal to the Immigration Tribunal was dismissed without a hearing on January 4, the same day he was allegedly beaten up for a second time at the Pui Chi boy's home.

Chaojie says he was attacked once before by other boys in the home on December 30.

He was examined at Eastern Hospital after both attacks, the writ seeking a judicial review of his case says. Lawyers for Chaojie and his mother, Chau Mei-tuen, lodged the action in the High Court, and are also asking for the boy to be freed on bail.

If released, Chaojie would return to live with Ms Chau and her parents in Wong Tai Sin pending the court action, it says.