Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants for 8 political activists living in exile

Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants for eight political activists living in exile, accusing them of violating China’s national security law, with a bounty offered for their capture.

Key Arrestees: Among those wanted for “collusion with foreign forces” include activists and former legislators Nathan Law and Ted Hui, legal scholar Kevin Yam, as well as Anna Kwok, director of a Washington-based pro-Hong Kong advocacy organization.
* These individuals are living in exile in the U.K., Australia, and the U.S., respectively.

Defence Statements: Responding to his warrant, Nathan Law said that the charges “are classic examples of abusing the concept of ‘national security,’ pushing its definition to an extreme to suppress dissident voices,” while insisting he has not accepted foreign government funding.

Charges and Rewards: According to Steve Li Kwai-wah, the superintendent of Hong Kong’s national security department, the individuals on the wanted list have “committed very serious offenses that endanger national security.”
* He argued they “have encouraged sanctions…to destroy Hong Kong,” and are now facing life imprisonment as a maximum penalty.
* Information leading to their arrests might earn $130,000 for the informant.

By the numbers: Since the passing of China’s national security law on Hong Kong, following mass anti-Beijing protests in 2019, 260 people have been arrested with 79 of them convicted.

International Response: The U.S. State Department has recently updated its China travel advisory, suggesting U.S. citizens reconsider their travel plans due to China’s arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

View original article on NPR

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