24th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) Secretary for Security Chris Tang invoked the National Security Law, designating seven individuals, including Ted Hui Chi-fung, Kevin Yam, Dennis Kwok, Anna Kwok, Elmer Yuen, Frances Hui, and Joey Siu, as national security suspects and implementing stringent restrictions. The measures include revocation of SAR passports, temporary suspension of professional qualifications, and other steps to sever their financial resources. Describing Ted Hui and his associates as “ringleaders of wicked deeds,” a government spokesperson condemned their actions as a threat to national security.
Former lawmakers Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok, who are currently residing abroad, had their SAR passports cancelled earlier and were placed on a wanted list, with rewards offered for information leading to their arrest. Secretary Tang emphasized a ban on financial aid to the absconders, property transactions, and commercial partnerships with them, underscoring the severity of the sanctions.
Furthermore, Dennis Kwok, Kevin Yam, and Elmer Yuen faced temporary stripping of their professional qualifications and directorships in Hong Kong. The government also initiated legal proceedings to seize funds raised by Ted Hui on online platforms.
In response, Ted Hui acknowledged the cancellation of his SAR passport, citing it as anticipated. He highlighted the Hong Kong government’s lack of jurisdiction over his legal qualifications in Australia, questioning the process of severing his financial resources derived from his legal work in Australia.
Chris Tang utilised powers granted by the National Security Law to publish notices in the government gazette, specifying the seven fugitives who allegedly endangered national security and the measures to be taken against them. The government asserted that the seven fugitives have been engaging in activities jeopardising national security while residing abroad, prompting the issuance of arrest warrants. Despite opportunities provided for their lawful return, the individuals continued to evade authorities.
The comprehensive measures applied to the seven fugitives include restrictions on financial transactions, property-related activities, partnerships, and the revocation of SAR passports. Additionally, temporary suspension of professional qualifications and director positions were enforced as applicable to individual cases.
A government spokesperson reiterated the necessity of these stringent actions against the fugitives, branding them as flagrant offenders residing in the United States and Australia. The government expressed disappointment over their failure to surrender and face the legal consequences in Hong Kong.
Ted Hui, who faces multiple criminal charges, was found guilty of contempt of court and other offenses, leading to a prison sentence. Legal actions have been taken to prevent him from moving assets in Hong Kong, citing evidence of illicitly acquired funds supporting activities detrimental to national security.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today the commencement of legal proceedings against Ted Hui one of the individuals identified as absconders, with the objective of confiscating his ill-gotten gains of around HK$800,000. As per Section 9(3)(b)(ii) of Schedule 3 under the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, the Police issued a notice in newspapers regarding legal actions concerning the arrest warrant for Ted Hui. Subsequently, the Department of Justice (DoJ) is set to seek a confiscation order from the Court of First Instance under Section 9(1) of Schedule 3 to recover the criminal proceeds linked to national security violations perpetrated by Ted Hui.
Emphasising the gravity of Ted Hui’s actions, a Government spokesperson highlighted the array of charges brought against him. In 2020, Ted Hui aced allegations including ‘contempt of the Legislative Council’, ‘criminal damage’, ‘attempting to pervert the course of justice’, ‘accessing a computer with dishonest intent’, and ‘administering harmful substances with intent to harm or annoy’. Notably, in 2020, he collaborated with foreign politicians to fabricate documents, deceiving the court with false information to secure approval to depart Hong Kong while on bail. Despite claiming an official visit to Denmark, Ted Hui absconded overseas, evading legal consequences. Subsequently, in 2022, he received a sentence of three years and six months for contempt of court.