Deputy Ted Hui in self-imposed exile from a Hong Kong, 'fallen into the darkness of tyranny’

Since November 30, the former democratic parliamentarian has been in Denmark to attend a climate conference. Ted Hui’s self-imposed exile will lead to a fewer possibilities of bail for democracy activists held on charges related to the security law.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Former democratic parliamentarian Ted Hui Chi-fung has announced that he will not return to Hong Kong and will choose self-imposed exile. So far he has not chosen any country for asylum, but he plans to settle in Great Britain in the future. He said that since Beijing's security law was imposed on Hong Kong, his city has "fallen into the darkness of the Chinese Communist Party's tyranny."

Hui left Hong Kong on November 30 to attend an international climate conference in Denmark. According to various media outlets, his family left the territory in the same days.

In Denmark he held talks with local and NATO political figures on issues related to human rights and the political situation in Hong Kong.

Hui faces charges related to his participation in last year's protests and to a demonstration at the Tuen Mun police station, which took place on 6 July. He is also accused of obstructing justice for helping to delete files and photos from a mobile phone, which could have led to the recognition of people involved in the demonstrations.

Pending trial, Hui was granted bail and the ability to travel abroad by submitting the request at least 72 hours in advance and the route.

According to some observers, Ted Hui's self-imposed exile will lead fewer possibilities of bail for democracy activists held on charges related to the security law.

Yesterday, tycoon Jimmy Lai, editor of the Apple Daily newspaper, was refused bail. The previous day, three young Democracy leaders Joshua Wong, Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow were also sentenced to prison.

“Since leaving Hong Kong I heard the news of more and more of my friends and freedom fighters being thrown to jail. Since the national security law we have fallen into the darkness of the CCP tyranny and it breaks my heart to hear the fate of many of my friends,” he said.

Since the security law was imposed, many Hong Kong people implicated in last year's pro-democracy demonstrations have been fleeing the city.

The law prohibits and punishes acts and activities of secession, subversion, terrorism and collaboration with foreign forces that endanger national security. But its interpretation seems to be so broad as to affect freedom of opinion, of the press and of assembly.

Until last September at least 136 people have applied for asylum in Australia; a few dozen in Canada and less than 10 in Great Britain, Germany and New Zealand.