Ex-chairman of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party ‘to seek temporary release from custody to attend mother’s funeral’

Wu Chi-wai’s mother died on Wednesday morning, source says, three years since ex-lawmaker launched legal bid to attend father’s funeral

He is among 47 opposition figures charged in 2021 over an unofficial Legislative Council primary that allegedly sought to subvert state power

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Former Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai attends his father’s funeral under police escort in 2021. Photo: May Tse

Published: 5:29pm, 29 Feb 2024Updated: 7:10pm, 29 Feb 2024

A former leader of Hong Kong’s biggest opposition party detained in jail over a national security charge is preparing to apply for leave to attend his mother’s funeral, the Post has learned.

A source familiar with the situation said on Thursday the mother of Wu Chi-wai, an ex-chairman of the Democratic Party, died on Wednesday morning.

The source added that it was understood the former activist would apply to prison authorities for permission to attend the funeral.

A Democratic Party insider said 61-year-old Wu had been mentally preparing himself for his mother’s death.

Wu earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to subvert state power under the Beijing-imposed national security law. He was among 47 opposition figures charged in 2021 over an unofficial Legislative Council primary that took place a year before.

The Correctional Services Department on Thursday said it could not comment on whether Wu had made an application. It added it did not discuss individual cases because of a need “to protect personal privacy”.