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Hong Kong Cancels Passports of Seven Activists Under Article 23, Issues HK$1 Million Bounties for Six More, Bringing Total to 19

Dec 24, 2024, 03:33 AM

The Hong Kong government has escalated its crackdown on pro-democracy activists by canceling the passports of seven overseas-based activists under the city's new domestic security law, known as Article 23. The affected individuals include former lawmakers Ted Hui Chi-fung and Dennis Kwok, as well as activists Anna Kwok, Elmer Yuen, Kevin Yam, Frances Hui, and Joey Siu. Each of these 'absconders' has a HK$1 million bounty on their heads for alleged national security offences. Additionally, the government has banned the handling of funds related to these individuals and imposed other measures such as suspending legal qualifications and removing directorships. This marks the second time such actions have been taken under Article 23. In a separate action, Hong Kong national security police issued fresh arrest warrants for six more activists living overseas, offering HK$1 million bounties for information leading to their arrests. These include Carmen Lau, Tony Chung, Chloe Cheung, Chung Kim-wah, Victor Ho, and Joseph Tay, accused of various national security offences. This marks the third round of such warrants since the Beijing-imposed security law was enacted, bringing the total number of opposition figures on the wanted list to 19.