Security tight as Wu Chi-wai attends father’s funeral
Amid tight security, the detained former leader of the Democratic Party, Wu Chi-wai, was finally allowed to attend the funeral of his father on Saturday morning.
The former lawmaker, who has been in custody for more than four months, stepped out of a police van and was walked to the funeral parlour by a handful of officers at around 8.30am.
Neatly dressed in a grey suit jacket, he was allowed inside without handcuffs or an escort, as several supporters shouted “Chi-wai! Hang in there!”.
Security was tight outside the building, with a large group of police officers standing guard, having arrived to make preparations at 7am.
Wu stayed for only around half an hour, before he was escorted back to a detention centre.
The Democrat was only permitted to bid final goodbye to his father in person after a national security judge granted a short bail on humanitarian grounds.
The Correctional Services Department had originally rejected his plea to be allowed to pay his respects, instead offering him the option of watching a live stream – an idea the family considered disrespectful.
Strict conditions applied to Wu’s brief leave from prison, with the time and place of his appearance, as well as his route to the funeral, kept a secret.
Only designated people, such as family members, were allowed to join the private funeral, and Wu was not permitted to communicate with anyone else.
Around 200 people, including veteran politicians, activists and Wu’s former colleagues in Legco, arrived at the funeral parlour the night before to pay respect to Wu’s late father. Pro-Beijing lawmakers Michael Tien and Abraham Shek also sent flowers.
Writing on social media, Wu’s wife said he smoothly bade farewell to his father and met his elderly mother at his brief appearance.
The family thanked those who attended the funeral or send their condolences, and apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Wu is facing protest-related charges and is one of 47 figures charged with conspiracy to commit subversion in relation to unofficial primary polls they held to select candidates ahead of last year’s postponed Legco elections.
He was first taken into custody after a court heard that he had failed to surrender a British National (Overseas) passport while on bail.
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Last updated: 2021-05-08 HKT 17:32
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