Hong Kong Issues Arrest Warrants for 19 Activists Abroad, Offers Bounties for 15 Individuals

HONG KONG — The national security police in Hong Kong have issued arrest warrants for 19 activists currently living abroad, accusing them of subversion under the strict national security law. This marks the highest number of such warrants issued to date. The individuals are associated with the “Hong Kong Parliament,” a group that officials allege sought to undermine state power, following the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 after extensive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Authorities allege that these activists organized or participated in a referendum and ran as candidates in this unofficial assembly, which they claim aimed to promote self-determination and draft a “Hong Kong constitution.” The police emphasized that the organization aimed to overthrow both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments through illegal means and indicated that their investigations are ongoing, hinting at the possibility of more arrests. Notable figures among those named in the warrants include businessman Elmer Yuen, commentator Victor Ho, and activists Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, with four already facing previous arrest warrants that come with a bounty of HK$1 million (approximately $127,000).

For the remaining 15 individuals, the police are offering HK$200,000 (about $25,480) for information leading to their arrest, particularly for those who participated in the non-official elections and took on roles as councilors. The former British colony has been governed under a “one country, two systems” framework since its return to Chinese rule in 1997, guaranteeing certain freedoms, including speech. Critics argue that the national security law is being exploited to suppress dissent.

In response, Chinese and Hong Kong officials contend that the law is necessary for restoring stability after the unrest of 2019. Police reiterated the seriousness of national security offenses, which have extraterritorial implications, and urged the wanted individuals to return and surrender for reduced punishment if they cooperate. They also cautioned that supporting the “Hong Kong Parliament” could lead to criminal charges as well.