The US and the UK have condemned the transfer as Hong Kong authorities broaden crackdown beneath nationwide safety regulation.
Police in Hong Kong have provided bounties for data resulting in the arrest of 5 activists residing abroad, increasing a crackdown on these concerned within the metropolis’s as soon as vibrant pro-democracy protest motion beneath a harsh nationwide safety regulation.
Regulation enforcement authorities on Thursday provided rewards of 1 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($128,000) for every of the 5 activists, who dwell in nations together with the US and the UK.
“They all betrayed their own country and betrayed Hong Kong,” Steve Li, chief superintendent of the police nationwide safety division, mentioned in a information convention. “After they fled overseas, they continued to engage in activities endangering national security.”
The transfer, characterised by the US and the UK as an effort to limit democracy, added to an inventory of eight activists who authorities named as fugitives in July beneath a nationwide safety regulation imposed by Beijing.
The 5 activists are named as Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. Many distinguished members of the 2019 protest motion moved abroad when the nationwide safety regulation was launched the next yr, anticipating harsh measures from authorities.
“This is a threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights,” UK Overseas Secretary David Cameron mentioned in response to the announcement, including that he had instructed officers in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London to “raise this issue as a matter of urgency”.
Hong Kong police introduced bounties for eight activists residing overseas in July, warning that they’d be pursued for all times. None of them have but to be arrested.
In 2021, the federal government rounded up not less than 47 opposition activists, together with elected lawmakers, unionists, and lecturers, accusing them of contributing to unrest and undermining nationwide safety.
Closing arguments within the trial of 16 activists, Hong Kong’s largest-ever state safety trial, occurred in late November. If convicted, they face the potential of life in jail.
In October, a bunch of United Nations human rights consultants mentioned that the mass trials may “negatively affect safeguards that ensure due process and the right to fair trial”.