MADRID, 19 (EUROPA PRESS)
British authorities have granted political asylum to Tony Chung, a 24-year-old Hong Kong activist who became the first to be imprisoned in the Chinese special administrative region under the new national security law and for calling for the territory's independence.
This was confirmed by the activist himself, who said he had received a letter from the British government informing him that he had been granted asylum as a "refugee" because he is at risk of being "persecuted" and, therefore, cannot return to his home country.
London has granted him a five-year residence permit, after which he will have to apply for a permanent permit. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government has issued a statement urging third countries to "immediately stop interfering in its internal affairs," which are "basically Chinese affairs," as the document states.
"All arrests and convictions are based on evidence and facts, and seek to put an end to criminal acts," he asserted, referring to a controversial law that came into effect five years ago and which critics denounce as a tool to silence dissidents and opponents.
Chung was sentenced in 2021 to three years in prison for secession when he was just 20 years old. In 2023, he fled to the United Kingdom, where he sought asylum upon arrival, believing he was still being persecuted despite having served his sentence—which was shortened due to his good behavior.
