The Hong Kong government has cancelled the HKSAR passports of seven “absconders” using under the city’s homegrown security law, including former lawmakers Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok who are now based overseas.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day, as marked in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang on Tuesday invoked his powers under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance – known as Article 23 – and imposed a series of special orders against Ted Hui, Anna Kwok, Elmer Yuen, Dennis Kwok, Kevin Yam, Frances Hui and Joey Siu. Each of them has a HK$1 million bounty on their head over alleged national security offences.
The orders included cancelling their HKSAR passports and prohibiting the seven individuals, whom Tang declared as “absconders” in a separate notice on Tuesday, from dealing with funds in Hong Kong.
The orders also banned activities in connection with immovable properties and joint ventures or partnerships linked to the seven activists, who are now based in countries including the US and the UK.
Ted Hui in the UK. File Photo: May James/HKFP.
Yuen was removed from office of director temporarily, while lawyers Yam and Dennis Kwok saw their qualifications to practice suspended.
This marked the second time that Hong Kong authorities exercised their new powers under the Article 23 legislation, which came into force in March.
The security minister is set to hold a press conference at 11 am on Tuesday together with Deputy Commissioner of Police Kan and Chief Superintendent Steve Li of the Police National Security Department.
