Ex-lawmaker calls jail experience 'surreal

A former Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker yesterday recounted her “surreal” experience being jailed for more than four years under the city’s national security law.

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Claudia Mo, 68, was among the 45 Hong Kong opposition figures imprisoned in the city’s largest national security case, after they held an informal election in 2020 that authorities deemed a “conspiracy to subvert the state power”.

Ms Mo and ex-lawmakers Jeremy Tam, Kwok Ka-ki and Gary Fan were each released on Tuesday after completing a jail term of four years and two months — the first batch of defendants to regain their freedom.

"Many thanks for all the concern and care expressed upon my release,” Ms Mo wrote on Facebook yesterday.

“Prison life was surreal, almost Kafka-esque to start with,” she added.