Wanted in Hong Kong, ex-opposition lawmaker Ted Hui makes exile bid overseas, raising prospect of tighter leash on activists awaiting trial back home
- After arriving in Copenhagen, Ted Hui declares his intention to resettle his family and live in Britain for the near future
- He faces charges related to Hong Kong protests, and by leaving the city could push the courts to reconsider bail conditions for other activists awaiting trial
Speaking from the Danish capital of Copenhagen, where he arrived earlier this week, Hui described wrestling with the emotional decision to leave his home and end, at least for now, his nearly decade-long career in politics.
“There is no word to explain my pain and it’s hard to hold back tears,” he said on Thursday evening. “Since the [imposition of the] national security law, we have fallen into the darkness of tyranny and it breaks my heart to hear the fate of many of my friends.”
Hui, 38, said he intended to live in Britain in the immediate future and try to resettle his family first before making longer-term plans. It was earlier reported that his parents, wife and two young children had also departed Hong Kong.
“My whole family feels threatened,” he told Danish media before announcing his plans. “If I come back to Hong Kong, there will be very, very serious consequences – maybe at the airport immediately.”
Despite leaving his Democratic Party behind, he pledged to dedicate himself to widening the “battle front” for the city’s future on the international stage.
A Security Bureau spokesman said it strongly condemned those who jumped bail, and added that everyone should take responsibility for their actions. The government would act in accordance with the law, he said.
