Journalist Ching Cheong is fighting for his conviction of spying for Taiwan to be dropped in his appeal, not just for a more lenient sentence, his wife said yesterday.
Mary Lau Man-yee said up to six different sources had hinted to her that Ching had a good chance of being released on medical parole after his appeal.
Her remarks came after legal experts offered different advice on the appeal, ranging from accepting a less severe offence, such as leaking state secrets, to arguing that Ching had not intended to spy.
At a seminar organised by Ching's university friends, Lau, a fellow journalist, said her husband was facing growing psychological pressure and had lost a lot of weight.
She said his hypertension had worsened and he had to be attended by doctors from time to time.
While Lau was unsure when the appeal would be heard, she said she had heard from different people, whom she declined to name, that Ching had a good chance of being released on medical parole.
But she said: 'Our aim is still fighting to get rid of the spy conviction,' although she admitted that options like appealing for a shorter sentence or switching to other charges would also be considered.