The grandmother of a 12-year-old mainland boy who lived illegally in Hong Kong for nine years has been charged with helping him violating the conditions of his stay.
Cho Siu-suen, 67, who took Siu Yau-wai, now 12, to Hong Kong when he was abandoned by his parents in the mainland as an infant, attended the Immigration Department office in Kowloon Bay on Thursday with a lawyer and a representative from human rights group the Society for Community Organization.
After being taken to the prosecution office, she was charged and bailed until a court appearance is scheduled. If found guilty, the grandmother could face a fine of HKD50,000 and two years in prison.
Cho went public with the story of her grandson in May, prompted by the apparent suicide of an undocumented 15-year-old girl in Repulse Bay in April.
Siu was issued with a temporary permit by Hong Kong Immigration, but returned to the mainland voluntarily in June after angry public outcry from locals who said the exception should not have been made.
His grandparents are now reportedly taking it in turns to look after him on the mainland. The boy has received an ID card but has not yet been accepted into a school.
Sources: SCMP/Apple Daily
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