Hong Kong offers $130,000 bounties for six pro-democracy activists abroad

The Hong Kong government has announced HK$1 million (US$130,000) rewards for information leading to the arrest of six pro-democracy activists accused of violating the national security law.

The six individuals, who all reside overseas, were charged with incitement to secession or subversion for their calls to impose sanctions on Hong Kong lawmakers and push for independence from China.

The wanted activists include Carmen Lau, Tony Chung, Chung Kim-wah, Joseph Tay, Chloe Cheung, and journalist Victor Ho. According to the Hong Kong Police, Ho, 69, faces accusations of subversion for advocating a referendum to establish a parliament-in-exile.

“Today was the last working day before our year-end holiday at HKDC, and I just learned that I am now a wanted Hong Konger with a HK$1 million bounty for national security offences,” Carmen Lau, a former Hong Kong district councillor, wrote on social media. “I have always considered serving Hong Kongers and fighting for our freedom and democracy my lifelong obligation since the day I was elected as a district councillor. I swear to put our fight for Hong Kong before anything else, even before myself.”

Lau also urged governments in the U.K., U.S., and E.U. to impose sanctions on Hong Kong “human rights perpetrators.”

At a news conference, Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang accused the six of endangering national security through their advocacy and lobbying efforts abroad. “Illegal acts will be prosecuted and punished no matter how far away they are,” Tang stated, adding that the six showed “little conscience.”

The latest bounties bring the total number of wanted pro-democracy activists to 19, following earlier announcements in July and December 2023. Authorities are reportedly moving to cancel the passports of seven activists on the wanted list, including ex-lawmakers Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok.