Lawmaker worries for under-pressure husband

Lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan says getting a divorce from her husband will not solve problems with her estranged father-in-law, wanted suspect Elmer Yuen.

Speaking on radio yesterday, Yung said she is worried about husband Derek Yuen Mi-chang despite having cut ties with her father-in-law in August last year.

Yung said her husband, who is an international relations analyst and not in Hong Kong at the moment, received a "lot of calls" yesterday and felt pressured after warrants for the arrest of his activist-father and seven others were issued.

"I care about my husband as he's under pressure," Yung said. "He will have to think about whether he will ever have a chance to meet his father in the future, how to meet him and where they can meet."

Yung does not worry about other people's comments on her being heartless and that she only wished to protect her family by cutting ties with Elmer Yuen.

She also wants to protect her husband and has cautioned him about meeting or sending money to his father.

Yung said Elmer Yuen has gone too far in using measures against China and that she has had no contact with him.

"I had cut ties with him publicly. But it's the fact that I'm the wife of his son and he is the grandfather of my children. Divorce cannot solve all problems and we still have to explain things to the public," she said.

Asked if her husband will meet his father in person, which may be regarded as providing support for the suspect, Yung said there are many ways to communicate using new technology and she does not know how the father and son will meet.

Yung said the warrant for her father-in-law's arrest is good for Hong Kong's overall interest and urged him to return to surrender.

"He should return and surrender himself as soon as possible, which is a responsible act for his family, himself and the country," Yung said.

"He can receive a lighter penalty and shorter jail term if he surrenders. A trial can also prove his innocence if he's not guilty."

Yung said she met Elmer Yuen at family gatherings before he committed alleged offenses, but has not seen him since the 2019 social unrest, adding she does not have his contact information.

An Executive Council member and senior counsel, Ronny Tong Ka-wah, said whether meetings or money exchange between a suspect and his family members constitute a crime depends on the intention.

"Family members or friends of a suspect will not be regarded as criminals just because of their relations, unless they provide money to the suspect to advocate Hong Kong independence," Tong said.

"If they just buy a suspect a meal, it's human nature. The law is not stupid."

But family members may need to explain their intention to law enforcers if they transfer a large sum of money to a suspect.

Tong said people have obligations to report the whereabouts of a suspect, but it's not their legal responsibility, meaning people will not face legal consequences if they fail to do so.

He said political offenders cannot be surrendered through agreements across countries.

But suspects may get arrested if they travel to countries that are close to China and Hong Kong and be transferred to the SAR through a legal assistance treaty, he said.

Tong did not think the police operation was too high-profile as national security crimes are more serious than murder or arson.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com