Hong Kong Police Offers Rewards for Arrests of Pro-Democracy Activists Living Abroad

In a recent development, the Hong Kong police have accused eight pro-democracy activists living abroad of violating the National Security Law and have announced rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,600) for any information leading to their arrests. This move has been strongly condemned by the United States and Britain.

These rewards mark the first instance of such incentives being offered for suspects accused of violating the National Security Law since its implementation in June 2020. The law criminalizes subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism.

During a news conference, the police identified the eight activists as 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.

It is worth noting that these individuals are currently residing in the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia, having previously faced accusations of various other offenses.

Steven Li, chief superintendent of the police’s National Security Department, confirmed that arrest warrants have been issued for the eight activists under the National Security Law. He acknowledged that it would be challenging to apprehend them if they remain overseas but urged them to return to Hong Kong and surrender in order to potentially receive reduced sentences.

Li emphasized that the introduction of these charges and rewards is not intended to instill fear but rather to enforce the law. He cited provisions within the security law that grant the police extraterritorial jurisdiction, enabling them to pursue individuals overseas 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 Hong Kong. It also suggested that China, as an Interpol member, could seek assistance from other countries to apprehend fugitives.

In recent years, Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese city, has faced increasing scrutiny from Beijing following widespread political unrest in 2019. The authorities have cracked down on dissent, resulting in the arrests of over 260 people, including numerous pro-democracy figures, under the National Security Law.

Furthermore, significant changes have been made to Hong Kong’s political system to ensure that only individuals loyal to Beijing, described as “patriots,” can hold office.

The police claim to possess evidence supporting the allegations of the eight activists’ violations of the National Security Law. The warrants state that lawyer Kevin Yam, former legislator Dennis Kwok, and activists Elmer Yuen, Finn Lau, and Anna Kwok are accused of colluding with foreign forces by advocating for sanctions against Hong Kong officials.

Meanwhile, former legislator Ted Hui is accused of inciting secession, subversion, and foreign collusion based on his alleged calls for independence for both Hong Kong and Taiwan on social media. He is also accused of advocating for sanctions against city officials.

Nathan Law, who is currently residing in Britain, faces accusations of foreign collusion and incitement to secession for his alleged involvement in calling for sanctions and the separation of Hong Kong from China in meetings with foreign officials, open letters, petitions, social media posts, and media interviews.

Unionist Mung Siu-tat is accused of inciting secession by advocating for Hong Kong’s separation from mainland China.

Nathan Law responded to the new charges, characterizing them as an attempt to suppress dissenting voices. In a tweet, he urged Hongkongers not to cooperate with any related actions and emphasized the importance of not limiting oneself, self-censoring, succumbing to intimidation, or living in fear.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed the UK’s firm stance

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More about pro-democracy activists

• Hong Kong police offer rewards for arrests of 8 pro-democracy activists
• National Security Law in Hong Kong
• US condemns Hong Kong police rewards for pro-democracy activists
• Britain condemns Hong Kong police’s move
• Overview of Hong Kong’s political unrest