Hong Kong woman accused of funding overseas activist Nathan Law following arrest under new security law
Hong Kong Free Press
A Hong Kong woman, who was among seven arrested under the city’s new security law, has also been accused of violating the Beijing-imposed security law over funding overseas activist Nathan Law and others.
“Investigation revealed that she supported with money fugitive Law Kwun-chung and other individuals through an online subscription platform, with the amount of funding amounting to approximately $140,000, ” Hong Kong’s national security police said, referring to Law by his Chinese name, in a statement released on Friday afternoon.
Police arrested six people, including detained rights activist Chow Hang-tung, under the new security law, known locally as Article 23, on Tuesday.
Chow was alleged to have continuously published anonymous “seditious” posts on social media with the help of the other five, according to the police.
On Wednesday, a 53-year-old woman was apprehended over case, marking the seventh arrest under Article 23.
Sedition, which previously had a maximum penalty of two years in prison, is punishable by up to seven years behind bars under the new law.
Following investigation, police said that the 53-year-old woman was also suspected of “providing pecuniary or other financial assistance or property for the commission of secession by other persons,” an offence under the Beijing imposed security law.
Apart from Chow, who remained in custody, the other six arrestees were released on bail. Police did not reveal their bail conditions nor how frequently they had to report to police stations.
Charges against the seven have yet to be issued.
Bounties for overseas activists
Last July, police named eight self-exiled pro-democracy figures as wanted, and issued HK$1 million bounties for each. They were ex-lawmakers Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok; activists Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, Elmer Yuen, Mung Siu-tat and Finn Lau; and solicitor Kevin Yam.
Then in December, police announced another round of arrest warrants for five overseas activists, also placing HK$1 million bounties on their heads. Those named by the police were Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi.
In the months since, Hong Kong-based family members and friends have been questioned by national security police. Law’s parents and brother were taken away for questioning by police last July.
Last July, seven people were arrested on suspicion of profiting from operating companies, social platforms and mobile applications to “support people who have fled overseas and continue to engage in activities that endanger national security.” The arrests were linked to the defunct pro-democracy party Demosisto, of which Law was a founding member.
One month later, Law’s sister-in-law was taken away for questioning last August.
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