Family of Hong Kong activist Edward Leung warns supporters to make safety ‘first priority’, avoid gathering to celebrate prison release
- Edward Leung’s relatives tell supporters not to attend his release from Shek Pik Prison, saying they want him to ‘rejoin his family’
- Former chief executive Leung Chun-ying criticises released activists for failing to retract past political views
Family members of jailed Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung Tin-kei have urged his supporters to keep a low profile, a day before his release from a maximum-security prison.
Posting on the activist’s Facebook page on Tuesday, the family called on Leung’s backers to give him space and put their own safety first.
“Second, please allow Edward to rejoin his family,” they said, with their third request telling Leung’s supporters to “make their safety their first priority”.
As soon as the 30-year-old was released, volunteers would take down his Facebook page under legal advice, the statement said.
The activist was jailed for his role in the Mong Kok riot in 2016, which was triggered when street hawkers and municipal staff scuffled on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, escalating into clashes between police and a violent mob.
