The recent arrest of the father and brother of pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok illustrates Hong Kong's crackdown on dissent under its national security law. This marks a significant escalation in targeting relatives of activists living overseas.
Hong Kong Police Arrest Relatives of Pro-Democracy Activist in Security Law Case
Hong Kong Police Arrest Relatives of Pro-Democracy Activist in Security Law Case
In a breakthrough under the national security law, authorities apprehend family members of activist Anna Kwok for alleged financial support.
Hong Kong police have detained the father and brother of Anna Kwok, a pro-democracy activist residing in the United States, on allegations of aiding her financially. This is reportedly the first incident where relatives of an alleged "absconder" face charges under the city's stringent national security legislation, according to Reuters. The authorities claim that at 26 years old, Ms Kwok breached national security laws by participating in pro-democracy protests back in 2019, leading her to flee Hong Kong in 2020. She currently holds the position of Executive Director at the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC) in Washington, D.C.
The arrests involve a 35-year-old and a 68-year-old, identified by local media as Ms Kwok's brother and father, respectively. Police have accused the elder, Kwok Yin-sang, of attempting to facilitate access to Ms Kwok’s financial resources, including her life and accident insurance policy. Journalistic sources indicate that the authorities began their investigation after noticing meetings between the family members and Ms Kwok while she was abroad.
Reports indicate that the court has denied bail to Mr. Kwok while his son was released on bail amidst ongoing investigations. According to Hong Kong's Safeguarding National Security Bill, it is illegal to provide financial support, directly or indirectly, to persons deemed absconders. This crackdown on dissenting voices is emblematic of a broader climate of fear following the implementation of the national security law, as evidenced by a bounty placed on Ms Kwok and several other pro-democracy figures in 2023.
Ms Kwok has criticized the Hong Kong government for its tactics aimed at stifling dissent through intimidation, highlighting that such actions are reflective of both local and Chinese Communist Party policies aimed at silencing activists. Since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from British rule to China, the region has been noted for having freedoms not typically afforded in mainland China, but these liberties are perceived to be eroding under the current administration.
