Talks swirl about activist in solitary at psych ward

Hong Kong activist Andy Li Yu-hin, one of the 12 convicted in the mainland for illegal crossing, is being held in solitary confinement at the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre after being charged under the national security law, according to sources.

It is understood that Li, 30, was detained by a "secret unit" of the Correctional Services Department as he may become a "tainted witness."

Li returned to Hong Kong on March 22 with seven others after completing their seven-month sentence for illegally crossing into Chinese waters during an attempt to flee to Taiwan on a speedboat.

He was later charged with one count of conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security, another count of conspiracy to assist an offender and one for possession of ammunition without a license.

But Li's family said authorities had not informed them of Li's whereabouts after his return from the mainland.

Sources said Li is being held in solitary at the center in Tuen Mun, under "the highest level of security." His case is being handled by a special CSD unit, they added.

A retired CSD officer said the "secret unit" specializes in the custody of tainted witnesses of major cases.

It is understood that Li was under the custody of the unit because he may turn into a tainted witness for the prosecution.

The retired officer also said all members of the secret unit have to go through background checks and only a few senior executives know their identities. They are not allowed to disclose detainees' custody lives to other people.

He added: "Some masterminds in major drug-trafficking cases will be sentenced to life imprisonment or jailed for decades. So tainted witnesses who testify against them must be closely guarded and protected."

He added that tainted witness would be guarded by the Correctional Emergency Response Team, commonly known as the Black Panther unit, while attending court hearings.

Sources also said the detention room at the psychiatric hospital was cleared before Li's arrival and only a few CSD officers knew the activist was at the hospital.

The CSD yesterday refused to confirm Li's whereabouts and whether he would become a tainted witness, saying it would not comment on individual cases.

But the department said it will ask new detainees whether they want to notify their family members of their location.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com