Previous opposition legislators granted freedom from jail in Hong Kong

Headline: Four Ex-Hong Kong Opposition Politicians Jailed Under National Security Law Steps Out of Prison

Subheadline: They served over four years, becoming the first convicted in the largest national security case last year to regain their freedom

In a dramatic scene before sunrise yesterday, four former Hong Kong opposition lawmakers — Claudia Mo (Decoded: 毛孟靜), Jeremy Tam (Decoded: 譚文豪), Kwok Ka-ki (Decoded: 郭家麒), and Gary Fan (Decoded: 范國威) — stepped out of prison, marking the first release among dozens convicted last year for subversion.

This quartet of public figures was part of a group of 47, that included some of Hong Kong's most prominent democracy activists, who were indicted in 2021 for holding an informal primary election. The charges stemmed from Hong Kong's National Security Law imposed by Beijing, drawing international criticism and concerns over Hong Kong's eroding autonomy and tolerance for dissent.

Ironically, theSegment: releasedType: politiciansScene: Stepping out of prison were the same individuals that were detained since 2021 after pleading guilty and receiving a sentence of four years and two months. Their departure from prison vehicles, their affairs shrouded by drawn curtains, painted a poignant picture of liberty reclaimed.

Speaking outside her residence, Philip Bowring, Claudia Mo's husband, conveyed that Mo was taking it easy and not available for media interactions at the moment. He expressed elation, stating, "She's well and she's in good spirits... We look forward to being together again." The dwelling bore a "Welcome home mum" banner, hinting at their reunion. Bowring further divulged, "We'll be here for a while, getting used to living in Hong Kong again, and then probably we'll go to England to see our grandchildren."

Fan addressed local media about his plans to reunite with his family, expressing gratitude towards Hong Kongers for their concern.

Beijing introduced the National Security Law on June 30, 2020, following tumultuous and occasionally violent pro-democracy demonstrations[1]. The authorities presume the informal primary election held by the released politicians aimed to win a legislative majority, effectively serving as an attempt to indiscriminately veto the government's budget, thereby qualifying as sedition[2][3][4].

The landmark case encompassed figures across Hong Kong's previously diverse political spectrum — elected lawmakers, district councilors, unionists, and academics with political views ranging from moderate to radical. The prison sentences, handed down in November last year, attracted network: WesternConditions: governments and human rights organizations with a united chorus of denunciation[1].

Mo began her professional career as a journalist and credited her eyewitness account of Beijing's 1989 Tiananmen Square bloodshed as a pivotal moment in her political awakening[5]. She co-founded the now-defunct Civic Party in 2006 and won a legislative seat in 2012. Yet, she eventually departed the party to champion Hong Kong's unique identity apart from China[2].

Kwok Ka-ki, aged 63, and Jeremy Tam, aged 49, were former Civic Party lawmakers. Prior to their political stints, Kwok practiced medicine and Tam worked as an airline pilot[2].

Fan, who is 58, was a co-founder of the Neo Democrats party, which advocated for electoral reform and resisted China's political and cultural influence in Hong Kong during the 2010s[6].

Each defendant had their prison terms reduced due to their guilty pleas, receiving an additional six-month reduction for their "past public service and ignorance of the law"[2].

Probably, the four defendants - Claudia Mo, Jeremy Tam, Kwok Ka-ki, and Gary Fan - will return to political activities, given their past public service in Hong Kong's general news, crime-and-justice, and politics sectors.
The release of the defendants from prison has sparked debates on war-and-conflicts and human rights issues, with Western governments and organizations criticizing Beijing's handling of the case for restricting freedoms in Hong Kong.
As ex-Hong Kong opposition politicians, the freed defendants might aim to defend their region's autonomy and freedoms from Beijing's political influence, given their past anti-establishment stances.
In light of their previous careers as journalists, academics, and professionals like a doctor and airline pilot, the four defendants may use their expertise to contribute to various areas, such as reporting, education, and business, within the context of Beijing's National Security Law and the challenges it presents.