China speaks on ‘sex arrest’

HONG KONG – Chinese police produced more evidence yesterday to justify the arrest last month of a Hong Kong pro-democracy politician for hiring a prostitute, but refused to say if they would release him early.

Ho Wai-to, a candidate for the Democratic Party in Sunday’s legislative elections, was arrested and sent without trial for six-months’ re-education last month after he was caught in bed with a prostitute in southern China during an anti-vice sweep. The rare police news conference, open only to Chinese and Hong Kong media, comes days before Hong Kong holds its Legislative Council elections.Some political analysts said Beijing risked angering voters and hurting the chances of pro-China candidates by dredging up the scandal again so close to the elections.A police spokesman in Dongguan city, where Ho is detained, said the authorities needed to put the record straight.”We initially did not plan on announcing these details, but some organisations and figures in Hong Kong have disregarded the truth and held news conferences and made irresponsible comments, accusing us of arresting people arbitrarily and of beating people until they confess,” said spokesman Li Zelin.”They have repeatedly twisted the truth and they have smeared our law enforcement agency… therefore we have to hold this conference to reveal the truth.”Police showed photographs they said were taken in a hotel room in Dongguan where Ho was arrested.Some were of garments, while one showed a topless Ho in the hotel room.Officers also showed a photograph of Ho in prison clothes doing exercise.Hong Kong media said police declined comment when repeatedly asked if Ho, who has health problems, would be released early.Many Hong Kong men travel to southern China for sex and few run into problems.- Nampa-ReutersThe rare police news conference, open only to Chinese and Hong Kong media, comes days before Hong Kong holds its Legislative Council elections.Some political analysts said Beijing risked angering voters and hurting the chances of pro-China candidates by dredging up the scandal again so close to the elections.A police spokesman in Dongguan city, where Ho is detained, said the authorities needed to put the record straight.”We initially did not plan on announcing these details, but some organisations and figures in Hong Kong have disregarded the truth and held news conferences and made irresponsible comments, accusing us of arresting people arbitrarily and of beating people until they confess,” said spokesman Li Zelin.”They have repeatedly twisted the truth and they have smeared our law enforcement agency… therefore we have to hold this conference to reveal the truth.”Police showed photographs they said were taken in a hotel room in Dongguan where Ho was arrested.Some were of garments, while one showed a topless Ho in the hotel room.Officers also showed a photograph of Ho in prison clothes doing exercise.Hong Kong media said police declined comment when repeatedly asked if Ho, who has health problems, would be released early.Many Hong Kong men travel to southern China for sex and few run into problems.- Nampa-Reuters