High Court Judge Signed Anti-extradition Petition

The judiciary has confirmed that a high court judge, Patrick Li, had previously signed an online petition organised by the University of Hong Kong Alumni Concern Group, opposing the government’s proposed changes to the extradition bill.

Li was among more than 3,000 HKU graduates who demanded that the government heed public opinion and withdraw the controversial bill.

The judiciary said Judge Li signed the petition in his personal capacity, but he was subsequently advised by Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma to refrain from signing such petitions in future to ensure the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

Judge Li was quoted as saying that he agreed with the top judge.

During an interview with Reuters last month, three local judges, speaking on anonymity, also said they were deeply disturbed by the proposed legal changes, which they claimed could possibly put them on a “collision course” with Beijing.