Hong Kong ‘Captain America’ first inmate blocked from early release from prison under new domestic national security law
- Activist Adam Ma was not granted early release for good behaviour because of the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, sources say
- He was sentenced on appeal to five years in jail for inciting secession during anti-government protests
A Hong Kong man convicted of inciting secession has become the first inmate to have his early release from prison blocked under the city’s new domestic national security legislation, the Post has learned.
Adam Ma Chun-man did not receive early release normally granted for good behaviour in prison because of the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which took effect on Saturday, sources said on Monday.
He was jailed for secession offences committed during the 2019 anti-government protests.
Ma, known as the “second-generation Captain America” for dressing as the Marvel character at demonstrations, was originally sentenced to five years and nine months in prison in 2021. His sentence was later reduced to five years on appeal.
The Post had learned that he was scheduled to be released on Monday for good behaviour. Previously, as a general rule, a prisoner’s sentence could be cut by one-third for good conduct.
But the new legislation, mandated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, stipulates that a prisoner convicted of national security offences “must not be granted remission” unless the commissioner of correctional services is satisfied the move will not compromise national security.
The legislation extends to anyone jailed under the Beijing-imposed national security law enacted in June 2020.
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Hong Kong leader John Lee signs new domestic national security ordinance into law