After spending more than five years in Hong Kong’s prison, former pro-democracy lawmaker Wu Chi-wai (胡志偉) finally got to embrace his wife and son in London last week. They wept with joy. However, he could be sent back to the Chinese territory this week, far earlier than planned.Wu, former chairman of Hong Kong’s once-largest opposition party, was one of 47 activists charged in 2021 in the territory’s biggest case under a Beijing-imposed National Security Law that crushed a previously thriving democracy movement. He was sentenced in 2024 to four years and five months in prison for conspiracy to commit subversion over his role in an unofficial primary election.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Wu Chi-wai scuffles with security guards at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on May 11, 2019.
After he was released last month, his first goal was to meet his family, now based in the UK. He feared his criminal record would affect his entry, so he communicated with Hong Kong’s British consulate in advance. However, after he landed in London on Wednesday, border authorities thought he could have other goals other than just visiting, including seeking long-term residency, he told The Associated Press in an interview.
