Newly elected lawmaker Eddie Chu Hoi-dick has gone to the police to report “credible death threats” targeted towards him and his family after the election. Chu and his family have not been back to their home since Sunday owing to safety concerns.
Chu had said he has heard rumours that he would be the subject of attacks as his campaign threatened to expose the alleged “collusion” of rural leaders with the government, business sector and triads. Chu has said he was threatened by a rural leader before the election. On election day, Chu said at least two cars were following his team after they departed from their homes around 7am, while another person who took photos of him when he was campaigning was suspected to be related to Yuen Long triads.
“The violent threats have intensified over the past few days, endangering my life and the lives of my family,” Chu said. “This is now a very serious matter… we hope the police investigate this with seriousness, and take measures to protect my family.”
Chu’s lawyer Michael Vidler – who is assisting him pro-bono – said they wished to make “a complaint of violent political intimidation” following “credible death threats,” but they did not reveal details as not to hinder the police investigation.
Chu appeared at the police headquarters on Thursday to seek advice. He said he has also been seeking advice from a professional security company in order to protect himself and his family.
“Our rule of law can be said to be non-existent if a newly elected lawmaker with more than 84,000 votes… cannot even go home, and received death threats due to my political views,” he said. “Our Hong Kong citizens will feel the danger, and those who voted for me will be very angry.”
“Politically motivated threats of violence against elected representatives of the people are a direct attack on rule of law and democracy,” a statement from Chu said. “The Hong Kong police is duty bound to uphold the rule of law and our constitutional rights.”
Chu said the statement was sent as a letter to the police commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung, Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok and Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
He thanked lawmakers-elect and others who came to the police headquarters to support him, including “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, Lau Siu-lai, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Joshua Wong, Paul Zimmerman, among others.
“I believe Hong Kong people can tell right from wrong – say no to political violence, we are all Eddie Chu,” Chu said before going into police headquarters to report the case.
