Detained Hong Kong Elected Officials Resign Ahead of Subversion Trials

Andrew Wan and Andy Chui resigned as district councilors Monday, the most recent Hong Kong pro-democracy political activists to relinquish their positions while awaiting trial.

More than 17 district councilors in the opposition camp have called it quits since the fall, less than two years since the pro-democracy landslide victory in the 2019 district council elections.

"Following the mass resignation of the pro-democracy camp from the Legislative Council last year, quitting as a district councilor this time means my 18 years of public office have come to an end," Wan wrote in a letter to constituents.

On Sunday, two more councilors also announced their departures. "Although with much reluctance, you have to admit the era for representative democracy has come to an end," Tai Po district council member Max Wu said.

Scores of unelected pro-democracy social activists have also been languishing in Hong Kong jails since the summer when a Beijing-backed National Security Law came into effect.

Former actor and radio personality Tam Tak-chi has been behind bars awaiting trial for more than eight months now after his bail applications were denied.

Tam, who adopted the moniker "Fast Beat" during his career as a radio host, is vice chairperson of the anti-establishment political party People Power.

"Fast Beat will remain in custody until the next court date in May 2021," former Hong Kong lawmaker Ray Chan tweeted in December. "His alleged crime: speaking our mind and condemning the wholesale destruction of our freedoms, values and institutions."

Chan, also known as "Slow Beat," is now in jail as well awaiting trial for subversion charges after participating in unofficial primary elections for Hong Kong's democratic party last year.

His colleague and friend Tam faces 14 charges, including several colonial era offences like uttering seditious words under the 1972 Crimes Ordinance, but none of these fall under the National Security Law.

This makes the decision announced last year to have District Judge Stanley Chan hear the case all the more unusual. Chan is specially certified to preside over Security Law-related cases.

The radio host appeared before the court in Wan Chai Monday.