John Lee blasts Agnes Chow’s ‘shameful’ bail jump, says police who exercised leniency disappointed

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu blasted activist Agnes Chow Ting who jumped bail and fled to Canada as shameful and said police who attempted to exercise leniency were the most disappointed, warning that she will remain a fugitive forever unless she turns herself in. 

Chow made the announcement in two Instagram posts on Sunday night, saying that she suffered immense mental pressure after she was released from prison in June 2021. 

As she decided to pursue a master’s degree in Toronto, she said she could only have her passport back from the police on the condition that she travels to Shenzhen for a one-day national security education tour in August “escorted” by national security officers. 

When asked whether Chow’s statement on the national security education tour to Shenzhen was true or not and if authorities will tighten the criteria for bail application, there was no direct response from Lee when speaking to the media on Tuesday. 

He only said he will not be discussing the details of the case, adding that relevant information may be admitted as evidence after the fugitive is arrested. He continued that the case is now being handled by law enforcement agencies. 

Lee pointed out that the police had good intentions that were only exchanged for deception, saying that officers who tried to handled the case with leniency were the most disappointed. 

Lee went on to criticize Chow for breaching integrity and using excuses to defraud others of their sympathy. 

Police will summarize their experience and continue to efficiently safeguard national security, Lee said. He also warned that all fugitives only have the option of turning themselves in, otherwise they will remain a fugitive for the rest of their lives and will be hunted by police.

Agnes Chow said she won't return home amid a crackdown that curbed her freedoms, defying a warning from Lee that she would be pursued for life.

Chow said that she faced intense scrutiny from authorities for several years and that with her passport confiscated, she constantly lived in fear and had to remain silent. "I feel like I was forced to stay in such kind of severe environment that I couldn't escape," said Chow, who told Reuters from Toronto.

"In consideration of the political situation in Hong Kong and my personal health, my mental health, my physical health, and the high political risk of not being allowed to leave Hong Kong again, I've decided not to go back."

(Staff reporter and Reuters)