THE governing council of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) decided to dismiss associate professor Benny Tai Yiu-ting, an organizer of the 2014 illegal “Occupy Central” movement, at a meeting Tuesday.

The decision, made after a vote of 18 to two, reversed a previous report by the senate of the university to keep the position of Tai, which said his involvement in the movement, while damaging the reputation of the university and proved to be misconduct, should not be the reason for dismissal.

The university will stop paying salaries and benefits to Tai, based on the latest decision.

Tai was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being convicted for offenses including incitement to committing public nuisances in April 2019. After being bailed pending an appeal, he also advocated “Hong Kong independence” and glorified violence.

Ahead of the election of the Legislative Council, Tai organized so-called “primaries” for the opposition camp, which blatantly interfered in the election and challenged the Basic Law and the national security law in Hong Kong.

The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday expressed support for the university’s move.

The decision of the governing council of the university to dismiss Tai, based on the University of Hong Kong Ordinance and strictly following related procedures, helps restore normal teaching order and a sound campus environment and shows that the university shoulders the responsibility to the entire society, a spokesperson of the office said in a statement.

As a faculty member of the university, Tai blatantly preached “Hong Kong independence,” advocated “achieving justice by violating the law,” and played an important role in inciting the 2014 illegal “Occupy Central” movement, violent incidents in social disturbances since last year, and recent so-called “primaries” of the opposition camp, the spokesperson said.

(Xinhua)