Trial begins for mother-in-law in Abby Choi murder case

The high-profile trial of Abby Choi Tin-fung's former mother-in-law, Jenny Li Sui-heung, commenced at the District Court on Monday, with Chois mother taking the stand as a key witness in the obstruction of justice case.

Li, 64, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of perverting the course of justice in connection with the grisly murder that shocked Hong Kong last year.

The prosecution alleges she deliberately misled police during their investigation into Choi's disappearance in February 2023.

In opening statements, prosecutors revealed disturbing details of Li's alleged attempts to shield her son, Alex Kwong Kong-chi - Choi's ex-husband and the prime suspect in the murder case.

The court heard that Kwong had been wanted since 2015 for failing to surrender to authorities after being charged with seven counts of theft involving over HK$6 million.

Despite knowing her son was a fugitive, Li allegedly maintained regular contact with Kwong and met with him multiple times. When police questioned her during the missing persons investigation, she falsely claimed she hadn't been in touch with Kwong and that he hadn't returned to Hong Kong, according to the prosecution.

The most damning evidence came from recorded conversations between Li and Choi's mother, Cheung Yin-fa, who testified on Monday. In these recordings, Li allegedly urged Cheung not to allow police to search certain premises to avoid discovery of Kwong's clothing, and instructed her to tell authorities she hadn't been in contact with Kwong.

The murder case, which involved Choi's dismembered remains being found in a village house in Tai Po, has captivated Hong Kong since February 2023. Kwong and his several family members face murder charges in a separate trial expected later this year.