Revolution of our times activist to be released

Localist Edward Leung Tin-kei is set to be freed next Wednesday after completing a six-year jail term for rioting in 2016.

Leung, 30, former spokesman of localist group Hong Kong Indigenous, was sentenced to six years in prison in June 2018 by the High Court over his role in the so-called "Fishball Revolution" on the first night of the Lunar New Year in February 2016 in Mong Kok.

He had also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, for which he was sentenced to 12 months that was run concurrently.

It is understood that Leung, listed as a category A prisoner - those that pose the most threat to the public - is serving his sentence at Shek Pik Prison on Lantau Island.

Sources said Leung's reduced period of imprisonment is a normal arrangement after deducting the public holidays - instead of an early release as some have described it.

It is also believed that Leung has been behaving well in prison and has been assigned to do chores like binding books.

Add to that he is said to be getting along with other inmates and has always hoped to leave prison as soon as possible to reunite with his family.

Someone who has been in touch with Leung said the localist leader has changed his views on many issues after spending time behind bars and may live a low-key life after his release.

It is expected that there will be a large crowd and media coverage on his release and authorities are considering plans such as allowing him to leave prison by himself or deploy a special vehicle.

In 2015, Leung joined Hong Kong Indigenous - founded by self-exiled activist Ray Wong Toi-yeung - and participated in the New Territories East by-election in February the following year.

His election slogan was "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times," a phrase frequently used by protesters during the anti-fugitive bill movement in 2019.

He lost the by-election to now-remanded barrister Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu.

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

Leung earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy with a minor in politics and public administration from the University of Hong Kong in 2017.

carine.chow@singtaonewscorp.com