Hong Kong district councillor arrested after ‘shoddy’ mask smuggled out of prison
- Willis Fong from Yuen Long arrested along with his assistant over incident at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, according to police
- Insider says force believed councillor might intend to test the item, which inmate had complained was poor quality
A Hong Kong district councillor has been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle a face mask out of prison after an inmate complained about its quality, according to police.
Willis Fong Ho-hin, 24, was arrested along with his assistant and the person being detained at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre over a charge relating to anti-government violence last year.
Fong, a board member of Yuen Long district, and his 21-year-old assistant met the protester in a room at the correctional institution on Tuesday, police said.
“Investigation showed the inmate handed over a bag containing the face mask in an attempt to smuggle it out of the detention centre,” said Inspector Chan Man-ching of the Sham Shui Po district crime squad. The mask was issued by the government to an inmate to protect against the coronavirus pandemic.
Taking an unauthorised item out breaches the Prisons Ordinance – an offence that carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail.
