SUPPORTERS RALLY: Pro-democracy demonstrators calling for Mr Ching's release at the Chinese Liaison office in Hong Kong in 2006. -- PHOTO: AFP

DURING his incarceration, Mr Ching Cheong's family (below) and friends organised press conferences and candlelight vigils to attest to his innocence and patriotism.

Politicians, from both opposition and pro-establishment camps, also penned personal and public letters to prominent mainland authorities, asking for clemency.

Since his detention in April 2005, it has been a trying period too for Ms Mary Lau, his wife of 25 years.

She was allowed to visit her husband every month during his incarceration.

The couple do not have any children.