The Hong Kong Police Force issued wanted notices and bounties for up to HK$1 million ($127,414) on 19 individuals accused of allegedly organizing, establishing, or participating in an overseas subversive group called “The Hong Kong Parliament”, suspected of violating the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law (NSL).
The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR issued a statement supporting the police action, condemning the subversive group as a serious breach of the national security law and a threaten to China’s sovereignty.
The office declares its unwavering support for Hong Kong in rigorously implementing the NSL and related subsidiary legislation, saying it will “firmly endorse and cooperate with the police to resolutely combat anti-China individuals who have fled abroad and seek to destabilize the special administrative region, in strict accordance with the law”.
The 19 wanted individuals include nine accused of forming the alleged subversive group: Elmer Yuen Gong-yi, Victor Ho Leung-mau, Johnny Fok Ka-chi, Choi Ming-da, Chan Lai-chun, Feng Chongyi, Sasha Gong, Ng Man-yan, and Tsang Wai-fan, with a view to achieving “self-determination” and subverting State power.
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The remaining 10 — Chin Po-fun, Ha Hoi-chun, Hau Chung-yu, Ho Wing-yau, Keung Ka-wai, Tony Lam, Agnes Ng, Wong Chun-wah, Wong Sau-wo, and Zhang Xinyan — are alleged to have participated in the group’s elections and taken oaths as members.
Bounties totaling HK$1 million each have been placed on Yuen, Ho, Fok, and Choi, while the other 15 face rewards of HK$200,000 for information leading to their arrest.
The police stated that The Hong Kong Parliament aims to “subvert state power by promoting ‘self-determination’ and formulating a so-called ‘Hong Kong constitution’”; it is accused of violating Article 22 of the NSL, which took effect in 2020.
The police called upon the wanted individuals to “immediately turn back before it’s too late”, urging them to “seize the opportunity to return to Hong Kong and surrender, rather than persist in their mistakes”.
Authorities also cautioned the public not to break the law, vowing zero tolerance and strict enforcement against such acts.
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It is understood that Yuen initially planned to hold an election in late 2023 to select 35 so-called “legislators”, but due to a lack of candidates, the vote was postponed to May this year. Only 18 candidates participated, resulting in 15 “winners”, of whom just 10 were sworn in. The remaining five later refused to take oaths or quit shortly after being elected.
