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Hong Kong activist Edward Leung ‘likely to be watched’ after early release from prison, sources say

  • ‘High-risk inmate’ jailed for rioting in Mong Kok is expected to be released on January 19
  • Prominent independence activist could be monitored by law enforcers including national security agencies, source says

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Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung will walk free from jail on January 19, but local law enforcement will continue to watch him. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jailed Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung Tin-kei is expected to be released on January 19, with his six-year sentence reduced by a third for good behaviour, but he is likely to remain under close watch, the Post has learned.

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The 30-year-old former spokesman of localist political group Hong Kong Indigenous was jailed in 2018 for rioting in Mong Kok and assaulting a police officer two years earlier.

A government source said that given Leung’s record as a prominent and influential political figure, it “made sense” he could still be under supervision by law enforcement agencies, including those responsible for national security.

“Don’t forget that he is the one who started the slogan, ‘Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’,” the source said.

Masked protesters gather outside the High Court in 2019 in support of activist Edward Leung. Photo: Nora Tam
Masked protesters gather outside the High Court in 2019 in support of activist Edward Leung. Photo: Nora Tam
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Leung was the poster boy of the city’s pro-independence movement and used the slogan when he ran in the 2016 Legislative Council election, but he was banned from contesting the race for advocating Hong Kong independence.
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