No-fuss jail release as localist's social media goes dark

Localist Edward Leung Tin-kei was released in the dead of the night yesterday from Shek Pik Prison after spending four years behind bars for taking part in a riot in Mong Kok in 2016.

The 30-year-old walked out of the maximum security prison on Lantau Island at around 3am and was picked up by a police seven-seat vehicle escorted by two cars.

At around 5.30am, Leung posted on Facebook that he had safely returned to his family. His Facebook page was closed shortly after the post.

"After being separated for four years, I would like to cherish the precious time I have with my family and resume a normal life with them," he said. "I would like to express my genuine gratitude for all your care."

Leung said he will comply with the supervision order in accordance with the law.

"I will stay out of the limelight and stop using social media," he said, adding he would have to turn down media interviews and visits.

A local online news outlet reported that three seven-seaters entered the prison compound at around 2.40am and posted images shot from afar of the vehicles leaving, but Leung could not be seen from the photos.

Roadblocks were set up at South Lantau Road.

A Correctional Services Department spokesman said the arrangement of Leung's release was done after considering police requests and "the wish and safety of the person in custody."

Sources said Leung is seen as a "sensitive figure" and will be monitored by authorities after his release.

According to the Security Bureau's website, a person under supervision order will have to follow certain conditions - including good behavior, residing at an address approved by his supervising officer, undertaking approved employment and meeting with their supervising officer at least once a month.

On Tuesday, Leung's family wrote on Facebook that the primary purpose of the page was to raise funds and help send letters from the public to him during his incarceration.

They said the page would be closed following legal advice and all content will be taken down.

Leung was the former spokesman of localist group Hong Kong Indigenous, founded by self-exiled activist Ray Wong Toi-yeung.

Leung was sentenced to six years in June 2018 at High Court after being convicted of a count of rioting during the Mong Kok riot - known as the "Fishball Revolution" among activists - on the first night of the Lunar New Year in February 2016.

He had also pleaded guilty to a count of assaulting a police officer, for which he was sentenced to 12 months, with the two sentences being carried out concurrently.

His stay in prison was cut after deducting his holidays and good behavior, according to sources.

Before his imprisonment, Leung participated in the New Territories East by-election in February 2016 with an election slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" - a phrase that was frequently used by protesters during the anti-fugitive bill unrest in 2019. But he lost the by-election to now-remanded barrister Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu.

The localist leader then ran in the Legislative Council election in September, 2016, but was disqualified by the returning officer who said she did not believe he had genuinely changed his previous stance on independence.