Hong Kong police have accused eight self-exiled pro-democracy activists of violating the territory’s National Security Law and are offering rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,600) each for information leading to their arrests. These rewards mark the first for suspects accused of violating the legislation imposed by Beijing in June 2020, which criminalizes activities such as subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism.
The accused activists include former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law, Ted Hui, and Dennis Kwok, lawyer Kevin Yam, unionist Mung Siu-tat, and activists Finn Lau, Anna Kwok, and Elmer Yuen. They are currently residing in the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia, with some having already faced other charges.
Steven Li, the chief superintendent of the police’s National Security Department, stated that arrest warrants have been issued for the eight individuals under the National Security Law. While acknowledging that the police cannot apprehend them if they remain overseas, Li urged them to return to Hong Kong and surrender in order to potentially receive reduced sentences.
Li emphasized that the new charges and rewards aim to enforce the law rather than instill fear. He cited provisions of the security law that grant the police extraterritorial jurisdiction, empowering them to go after individuals abroad who pose a threat to Hong Kong’s national security.
This press conference took place less than two weeks after the state-owned Ta Kung Pao newspaper published an editorial asserting that the National Security Law applies to individuals outside of Hong Kong. It further claimed that China, as an Interpol member, could request assistance from other countries in apprehending fugitives.
The increasing scrutiny of Hong Kong by Beijing is a response to the political turmoil that engulfed the city in 2019. Authorities have cracked down on dissent, leading to the arrest of over 260 people, including numerous pro-democracy figures, under the National Security Law. The political system in Hong Kong has also undergone significant changes to ensure that only those loyal to Beijing hold office.
The police force stated that they possess evidence of the eight activists violating the National Security Law. Specifically, lawyer Kevin Yam, former legislator Dennis Kwok, and activists Elmer Yuen, Finn Lau, and Anna Kwok are accused of foreign collusion for allegedly calling for sanctions against Hong Kong officials.
Former lawmaker Ted Hui faces charges of inciting secession, subversion, and foreign collusion for purportedly advocating for Hong Kong and Taiwan’s independence on social media, as well as calling for sanctions against city officials.
Nathan Law, who currently resides in Britain, is also accused of foreign collusion and inciting secession for allegedly advocating for sanctions and Hong Kong’s separation from China through various means, such as meetings with foreign officials, open letters, petitions, social media posts, and media interviews.
Unionist Mung Siu-tat is accused of inciting secession for advocating Hong Kong’s separation from mainland China.
Nathan Law tweeted that these new charges are an attempt to suppress dissident voices and urged Hong Kongers not to cooperate with any related pursuits or bounty actions. He called for people to resist self-censorship, intimidation, and fear.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, declared that the UK will not tolerate any attempts by China to intimidate and silence individuals in the UK and overseas. Cleverly called on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law and for Hong Kong authorities to cease targeting those who fight for freedom and democracy.
In conclusion, Hong Kong police have offered substantial rewards for information leading to the arrest of self-exiled pro-democracy activists accused of violating the National Security Law. This move comes as part of China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong and its efforts to suppress dissent and maintain control over the city. The accused activists, who are living abroad, face charges ranging from foreign collusion to inciting secession. The international community, including the UK, has condemned these actions and called for the repeal of the National Security Law.
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