Hong Kong places bounties on 15 foreign activists and issues arrest warrants for 19 of them
Hong Kong authorities have declared financial rewards for 15 of the 19 foreign campaigners and issued arrest orders for the others.
In accordance with the comprehensive national security law enforced by Beijing in 2020, Hong Kong’s national security police have issued arrest warrants for 19 activists who are based abroad on charges of subversion. Since the law’s passage, this action represents the most warrants issued against foreign nationals.
The activists are charged with taking part in or organizing the so-called “Hong Kong Parliament,” an unofficial organization that authorities say seeks to use illegal measures to undermine governmental authority and advance self-determination. According to police, the organization aimed to overthrow the Chinese and Hong Kong governments and write an independent constitution for Hong Kong.
Police say those targeted either ran as candidates in the shadow legislative body or launched a referendum, which they say is an attempt to weaken national sovereignty.
Businessman Elmer Yuen, pundit Victor Ho, and campaigners Tony Choi and Johnny Fok are among those mentioned in the most recent announcement. Four of the 19 had previously been the subject of warrants with HK$1 million (about $127,000) in bounties. The remaining 15 are now each facing a HK$200,000 (about $25,480) prize.
No one identified could be contacted for comment, according to authorities. The investigation is still underway, according to the police, and more arrests could come.
The warrants are issued in the midst of larger worries about Hong Kong’s declining public space. Under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, which promised a high degree of autonomy and protection of freedoms, including free expression, the city, formerly a British colony, returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
The national security bill has been utilized, according to critics, to stifle dissent and undermine the pro-democracy movement that grew stronger during the anti-government demonstrations in 2019. However, officials in Beijing and Hong Kong uphold the law when it is required to preserve national sovereignty and restore order.
Police cautioned in a statement that offenses related to national security are grave crimes that have an impact beyond national borders. They said that leniency may be taken into consideration in return for cooperation and urged individuals who wished to voluntarily surrender.
According to the police statement, “offenders may be eligible for reduced punishment if they voluntarily give up continuing to violate the crime, turn themselves in, truthfully confess their crimes, or provide key information that helps solve other cases.”
