Hong Kong pollster Robert Chung has been taken in by national security police to assist with an investigation for the second time in two weeks, according to local media.
Robert Chung, president and CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, speaks during a press briefing on December 27, 2023. Photo: Hans Tse/HKFP.
Multiple local media reports said on Monday that Robert Chung, the CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI), was taken from his home in Hong Kong Island to Wan Chai police station by the force’s national security department.
HKFP has reached out to the police to confirm the media reports.
Chung was on January 13 questioned by national security police. Security chief Chris Tang said at that time the pollster was suspected of using his company to assist a wanted person who had absconded overseas, but added that he had not been arrested.
Monday’s development followed a series of police interrogations involving people linked to PORI’s former deputy CEO Chung Kim-wah, who was among six overseas Hongkongers added to a wanted list last December over allegedly violating a Beijing-imposed security law.
Chung Kim-wah, 65, has been accused of inciting secession and colluding with foreign forces. According to his wanted notice, he had “repeatedly advocated” Hong Kong independence on social media and requested foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and the city.
Police have issued a HK$1 million bounty for information leading to the arrest of Chung Kim-wah, as well as others on the wanted list.
To date, Hong Kong national security police have issued arrest warrants for 19 overseas Hongkongers on suspicion of committing national security offences. They include three ex-lawmakers – Ted Hui, Dennis Kwok and Nathan Law – as well as activist Tony Chung, who completed a jail term for secession under the national security law before going to the UK in late 2023.
