Insider Breaks Silence: 2019 Was Orchestrated — And He Names Who Pulled the Strings

After serving time in the “35+” subversion case, Andrew Chiu Ka-yin is putting on the record: the 2019 “Black Riots” and the so-called “primary elections” were not some organic political wave, but a “scheme” steered by people with ulterior motives. It matters because it goes straight to intent and orchestration. In an exclusive TVB News interview, he admitted that he hated himself for not able to disconnect himself with the situation and the extreme violence at that time.

Chiu, sentenced to seven years, was released early in late October after sentence deductions, becoming the first national security prisoner freed early since the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect.

Chiu says he owed Hong Kong people the truth—and he’s finally saying it.

In the “35+” case, Chiu didn’t just appear as a defendant—he also served as a accomplice witness, and the court materials listed him as an organizer alongside Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Au Nok-hin, and Ben Chung Kam‑lun. The court sentenced him as a “principal offender” for conspiracy to commit subversion against state power, setting the term at seven years. He ultimately walked out after nearly five years served, following deductions.

Chiu told TVB News he wanted to assist the prosecution within the first months of detention, framing it as a duty to tell the truth although he feared retaliation after release.

When violence crossed the line

Chiu pinpointed two episodes from the anti-extradition bill period that, in his words, disgusted him most. One involved student “Kin Chai” Tsang Chi-kin in a riot case—Chiu said Tsang was persuaded to pay for an escape and then “betrayed.” The other was the Ma On Shan incident in which an elderly man was set on fire after arguing with protesters. Chiu said the situation had spiraled into something frightening, yet he stayed silent because he was already entangled in the political camp and felt bound by bloc loyalty. He now says he hates himself for not speaking up then.

He said he does not agree with violence—and he cast himself not only as a former participant in the political current, but also as a victim of violence. In November 2019, he was attacked outside Taikoo Shing Centre by a middle-aged man, Chan Chun, who stabbed him and bit off his left ear; Chan was later sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Chiu’s core argument is blunt: from the amendment storm to riots to the so-called “primary elections,” he now sees the entire arc as a coordinated “scheme,” manipulated by people with ulterior motives to strike at the SAR government and the country’s constitutional order. On that basis, he said he wants to apologize to the country, Hong Kong, and the general public, and he stressed he won’t return to politics anytime soon—and won’t emigrate either.

As an insider put it, Chiu’s confession forces Hong Kong people to confront the level of violence seen in 2019, describing it as reaching the level of terrorist attacks. Jimmy Lai and his Apple Daily as advocates of “no differentiation between peaceful and valiant protesters,” makes him the instigator and chief culprit.

The Apple Daily playbook

Yesterday (December 15) Jimmy Lai was convicted on three counts: conspiracy to publish seditious publications and collusion with foreign forces. The court's judgment summary—written by three National Security Law judges—puts him at the forefront as protests morphed into a resistance movement. Both Lai and Apple Daily were "leading the charge," according to the judges' written reasoning. If you want the "receipts," that's where they are: in the court's own words.

An insider who watched the interview offered a straightforward read: Chiu's remorse is genuine. That matters because it reflects how the Central Government and the SAR Government enforce the law—strictly, but with room for mercy. Truly repentant national security prisoners get a shot at early release.

The warning is equally direct: diehard anti-Hong Kong elements should not expect leniency. In other words, remorse may open doors, but obstinacy won’t—and the legal system will treat them accordingly.

Ariel

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For months, overseas supporters painted Jimmy Lai as frail and fading fast behind bars. His daughter even claimed his fingernails had turned green and fallen off.

But the man who walked into court today presented a different picture. Lai stepped into the dock on his own, steady and alert. He looked composed — none of the weakness or fatigue described by his family and foreign backers.

No Case for Sympathy

The court’s written judgment made its stance clear: age, health, and solitary confinement were no excuse for leniency. After reviewing detailed medical reports from the Correctional Services Department, the judge ruled that Lai has received proper, continuous medical care — and that no sentence reduction is warranted.

The report dated January 9, 2026, offered a medical snapshot: Lai takes prescribed medication for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all under control. Tests on his heart and hearing showed no abnormalities.

He had dental issues in 2021 and received specialist treatment, with no follow-up complaints since 2022. His eyesight shows early cataracts but remains stable under observation.

Minor Ailments, Maximum Care

In mid-2024, doctors spotted fungal nail infections on his right thumb and left big toe. Lai declined topical treatment and preferred a conservative approach, which doctors continued to monitor. By late 2025, the condition remained stable, with no signs of worsening.

The report even tracked his weight: 80 kilograms in December 2020, down slightly to 79.2 in January 2026 — both figures putting him in the overweight range for Asian adults.

The defence argued the weight loss showed a health decline, but the court brushed that aside. The key question, the judge said, was not whether Lai had lost weight — but whether it mattered medically. The records said no.

Judge Draws the Line

Medical issues won’t win Lai any leniency, the judge ruled. His crimes were serious, and his own lawyers admitted his ailments weren’t life-threatening. Compassion, the court made plain, has limits when weighed against the severity of the offence.

The court added that speculation about future health decline held no weight. The Correctional Services Department has a duty to ensure proper care, and so far, has fulfilled it.

Isolation by Choice

On Lai’s solitary confinement: that was his own call. Relying on CSD testimony, the judge said Lai repeatedly requested separation from other inmates, citing fears of harassment because of his notoriety. Each time, he confirmed he did so voluntarily.

The CSD made clear that Lai continues to enjoy every right guaranteed to inmates — from family visits and letter correspondence to religious services, outdoor exercise, and full access to medical and psychological care. Every safeguard remains intact. Notably, Lai has never once complained about his medical treatment, and the court pointed out that neither he nor his lawyers disputed any of these facts.