In a significant escalation of Hong Kong's political crackdown, police have arrested the father and brother of pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok, marking the first time relatives of an "absconder" have been charged under the territory's security law.**
Hong Kong Police Target Family of Pro-Democracy Activist Anna Kwok**
Hong Kong Police Target Family of Pro-Democracy Activist Anna Kwok**
Authorities arrest family members of Anna Kwok, a US-based pro-democracy advocate, under national security laws.**
In a move that underscores the intensified crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, police have arrested the father and brother of US-based pro-democracy activist, Anna Kwok. The arrests come in connection with allegations that they aided her financial dealings while she resides abroad. This marks a troubling first, where relatives of an "absconder" are charged under the contentious national security law, as reported by Reuters.
The 26-year-old Kwok is wanted for violating the region's national security statutes by partaking in pro-democracy protests back in 2019. Fleeing the territory in 2020, she has since risen to the position of Executive Director at the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC) located in Washington, D.C.
In an operation that has drawn international scrutiny, authorities detained two men, aged 68 and 35, on suspicion of managing financial resources belonging to Kwok. Local media identified them as her father, Kwok Yin-sang, and brother, whose involvement allegedly includes efforts to access Kwok's insurance funds in Hong Kong. The elder Kwok has been denied bail, while the younger brother was released on bail pending further investigation.
The South China Morning Post reported that police took action after monitoring the two men’s overseas meetings with their sister. Hong Kong authorities placed a bounty on several pro-democracy activists, including Anna Kwok, earlier in 2023, accusing them of colluding with foreign forces—a charge that could invoke severe penalties, including life imprisonment.
Kwok has condemned the bounty and stated it reflects the repressive tactics employed by the Hong Kong government and the Chinese Communist Party to intimidate activists. Since its transfer to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong has historically retained certain liberties; however, there are growing concerns that these freedoms are increasingly under threat.
The 26-year-old Kwok is wanted for violating the region's national security statutes by partaking in pro-democracy protests back in 2019. Fleeing the territory in 2020, she has since risen to the position of Executive Director at the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC) located in Washington, D.C.
In an operation that has drawn international scrutiny, authorities detained two men, aged 68 and 35, on suspicion of managing financial resources belonging to Kwok. Local media identified them as her father, Kwok Yin-sang, and brother, whose involvement allegedly includes efforts to access Kwok's insurance funds in Hong Kong. The elder Kwok has been denied bail, while the younger brother was released on bail pending further investigation.
The South China Morning Post reported that police took action after monitoring the two men’s overseas meetings with their sister. Hong Kong authorities placed a bounty on several pro-democracy activists, including Anna Kwok, earlier in 2023, accusing them of colluding with foreign forces—a charge that could invoke severe penalties, including life imprisonment.
Kwok has condemned the bounty and stated it reflects the repressive tactics employed by the Hong Kong government and the Chinese Communist Party to intimidate activists. Since its transfer to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong has historically retained certain liberties; however, there are growing concerns that these freedoms are increasingly under threat.
