Hong Kong Police announce bounties targeting exiled pro-democracy activists – JURIST
Hong Kong police announced a HK$1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of six pro-democracy activists now residing in the UK and Canada on Monday. The bounties were issued for alleged violations of the 2020 National Security Law.
One of the wanted individuals, including Tony Chung, a former pro-independence group leader, has been accused of violating Hong Kong’s national security law. Chung, who fled to the UK last year, is joined on the list by former district councillor Carmen Lau, activist Chloe Cheung, political commentator Chung Kim-wah, former actor Joseph Tay, and YouTuber Victor Ho. Charges vary from subversion to inciting secession and collusion with foreign forces.
In a statement, the Hong Kong Police said the wanted individuals have allegedly violated the National Security Law, including “incitement to secession,” “subversion” and “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security.” The statement added:
Article 33 of the National Security Law, if an offender voluntarily discontinues the commission of the offence; voluntarily surrenders himself or herself and gives a truthful account of the offence; or reports on the offence committed by other person or provides material information which assists in solving other criminal case, a lighter penalty may be imposed, or the penalty may be reduced.
Official documents say the charge against Cheung is based on her role as a “core member” of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, advocating for Hong Kong independence and requesting foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and Hong Kong. Chloe Cheung, 19, said on X (formerly Twitter) her advocacy seeks to hold “those responsible for crushing Hong Kong’s civil society” accountable. She emphasized that “It is not me or the others with bounties who should fear for their freedom, it is those who forced us out of our own city and continue to chase us around the world.
Cheung also spoke with JURIST:
“This will not affect my work—in fact, it strengthens my resolve and reassures me that I’m on the right path. Having a bounty placed on my head only confirms that I’m standing up against what authoritarian regimes fear most. It fills me with even greater courage to speak out boldly for what I believe in, and I will continue to fight tirelessly for Hong Kong.”
The US Consul General in Macau and Hong Kong, Gregory May, and UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, similarly denounced the actions as silencing dissents and attempts to intimidate critics overseas.
This marks the third wave of arrest warrants under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. While Beijing justifies the law as a means to ensure stability, critics argue it stifles autonomy and suppresses freedom. China’s foreign ministry has endorsed Hong Kong‘s actions, highlighting adherence to the rule of law. This comes as China sanctioned 20 Canadians for calling out Beijing’s human rights violations and transnational repression against Tibetans & Uyghurs on Sunday.
