Jailed Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung drops legal challenge over government decision to ban him from running in 2016 Legco election
- Lawyer for former spokesman of localist group Hong Kong Indigenous concedes Leung has little chance of winning
- Leung had argued that returning officer’s decision to stop him taking part in election was unconstitutional
Jailed Hong Kong independence advocate Edward Leung Tin-kei has given up his legal challenge against a government decision to disqualify him from running in the Legislative Council election three years ago.
His lawyer Anson Wong Yu-yat told the High Court on Thursday that Leung’s challenge would likely become “academic” by the time there was a ruling as the next Legco election was in 2020.
He also conceded that the chance of Leung – once the face of the city’s independence movement – winning was slim, as the court had already dealt with the issue raised in a separate case.
Mr Justice Thomas Au Hing-cheung accepted the request and allowed Leung to withdraw his election petition.
But the jury cleared him of another riot charge and one of inciting others.
