Four former Hong Kong lawmakers convicted of subversion in a case involving 47 activists were released on Tuesday after completing their jail terms, becoming the first batch of defendants to be freed following the city’s largest and longest-running national security trial.
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Gary Fan Kwok-wai, 58, Kwok Ka-ki, 63, Jeremy Tam Man-ho, 49, and Claudia Mo Man-ching, 68, walked out of prison after serving four years and two months behind bars.
Fan, accompanied by police, was seen returning to his home in Tseung Kwan O early in the morning after he was freed from Shek Pik Prison on Lantau Island.
“[I am] going home to reunite with my family now. Thanks for the care from Hong Kong people and the media,” Fan said as he headed home.
Mo’s family confirmed with the Post that she had returned home, with a source saying the rest were also released in the morning.
“Well, I am very pleased that she is home, but she is resting so I cannot really say any more,” Mo’s husband, Philip Bowring, told reporters who approached his residence.
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When asked whether Mo would say a few words to the press, Bowring said she would not be giving any interviews for the time being.
“I am sorry about that, but as you know the circumstances, so that is all I can say,” he said.