Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong, the liquidator of now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, received a lawyer's letter from the university today (Friday).

The school in the letter asked the alliance to remove the sculpture from its campus before 5pm next Wednesday (Oct 13). Otherwise the sculpture will be deemed abandoned.

“The University will not consider any future request from you in respect of the Sculpture, and the University will deal with the Sculpture at such time and in such manner as it thinks fit without further notice," the letter read.

In response to media, the university said the sculpture belongs to “an external organization which has publicly announced that it is in the process of disbanding,” and explained that the decision is based on the latest risk assessment and legal advice. The school didn't further comment on the matter.

Tsoi said the university's request is unreasonable, adding that it is the duty of the school, as a space with freedom of speech and academic freedom, to keep the sculpture.

He also wrote a letter to Zhang Xiang, president of the university, asking the school to let the sculpture stay in the campus.

The eight-meter tall statue was built by Danish artist Jens Galschiot. Twisting bodies and painful expressions were carved to symbolize student protesters who lost their lives during the crackdown.

The words "The Tiananmen Massacre", "June 4th 1989" and "The old cannot kill the young forever” were engraved into the base of the statue.

Reports earlier said that the university will remove the sculpture over fear of violating the national security law.