Row over controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong intensifies as legal scholar’s call for changes sends shock waves through political circles

Law professor Albert Chen has given in to public pressure on bill, says Ronny Tong, an adviser to Hong Kong’s leader

Lawmakers pass motion to issue guidelines on removing pan-democrat James To from presiding over bills committee

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House Committee chairwoman Starry Lee (left) is surrounded by lawmakers on Saturday. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 7:21pm, 4 May 2019Updated: 11:27pm, 4 May 2019

An adviser to Hong Kong’s leader on Saturday hit back at a prominent legal expert who expressed doubts over the controversial proposal to amend extradition laws, as legislators passed a motion that was likely to lead to more chaos at the committee scrutinising the bill next week.

Academic Albert Chen Hung-yee, a member of the Basic Law Committee, wrote on Friday that local officials should give “serious consideration” to retaining the right to refuse to hand over Hongkongers to mainland China. Instead, the University of Hong Kong law professor said the government could consider trying residents locally for crimes committed across the border.

Chen was commenting on the government’s proposal to amend fugitive laws, such that Hong Kong could transfer suspects to places it lacked a formal extradition agreement with, including the mainland and Taiwan.

His proposal sent shock waves through political circles as the scholar had in the past tended to side with the government on thorny legal issues.

Albert Chen’s comments sent shock waves through political circles. Photo: David Wong

At least one opposition party has called for a discussion of his suggestion, while a pro-Beijing lawmaker who had been lined up to steer scrutiny of the bill expressed doubts.

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