Hong Kong lawmaker Tanya Chan has completed a surgical procedure to remove a life-threatening tumour from her brain.
Her office announced the news on Tuesday afternoon, but gave no specifics on Chan’s condition except to say she was resting.
“Tanya has always wanted to receive treatment in a low-profile way, to avoid causing pressure to her family and friends,” her office wrote on Facebook. “After Tanya rests and recovers her strength, she will explain her condition with the doctor’s permission.”
Chan was among nine pro-democracy activists charged over the 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement. It was the city’s largest ever protest, with thousands calling for universal suffrage while occupying public roads in Admiralty, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay for 79 days.
All nine were convicted of charges related to public nuisance last month. Four were given immediate jail sentences – Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man, Raphael Wong and Shiu Ka-chun.
Sentencing for Tanya Chan was delayed to June 10 after her lawyer revealed in court that she had a “life-threatening” brain condition requiring urgent surgery.
“Thank you for everyone’s concern for my health. After consulting with various doctors, I have decided to proceed with surgery,” Chan wrote on Facebook earlier on Tuesday. “Please be assured that I will be well taken care of by the doctors, nurses and my family. I will update everyone with good news soon.”
Shiu Ka-chun out of hospital
Separately, Hong Kong authorities have transferred convicted lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun to Stanley Prison after he recovered from a medical procedure last Friday.
Shiu was handed an 8-month jail term and started serving his sentence on April 24. However, he was taken to the hospital the following day due to an irregular heartbeat.
On Friday, doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital successfully performed angioplasty on Shiu – a non-surgical procedure to widen blood vessels – after learning that one of the blood vessels in his heart was almost completely blocked.
Shiu was in stable condition and in good spirits after the procedure, according to his family members.
On Monday, prison authorities also denied permission for Shiu to attend Legislative Council meetings. Prisoners can apply to the Commissioner of Correctional Services for a leave of absence of up to 24 hours.
Shiu had earlier asked to attend meetings of the Legislative Council and the Panel on Welfare Services, of which he is deputy chairman. He added that he did not mind being handcuffed during meetings.
After learning of the Commissioner’s decision, Shiu’s office said it would discuss with lawyers whether a legal challenge was feasible.
A spokesperson for the Correctional Services said it would not comment on specific cases due to privacy concerns. The authorities would consider each leave of absence application based on its merits, background and any special factors, he added.
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