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Activists

Hong Kong Police Announce Bounty for Pro-Democracy Activists

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Hong Kong police have announced a bounty of 200,000 Hong Kong dollars ($25,500 or €21,700) for each of the 15 activists involved in the "Hong Kong Parliament" group, accusing them of crimes against national security. The group, which aimed to promote self-determination and establish a "Hong Kong constitution," held an online vote to form a "legislature" opposed to "one-party dictatorship." The authorities have also issued arrest warrants for six activists, including Elmer Yuen, Johnny Fok, Tony Choi, Victor Ho, Keung Ka-wai, and 14 others. The police have warned that aiding or funding others to participate in the "Hong Kong Parliament" could be a criminal offense.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hong Kong police have accused the "Hong Kong Parliament" group of crimes against national security, including conducting an election abroad and setting up or becoming members of the group.
  • The group, based in Canada, held an online vote on their Facebook page, which drew 15,700 votes through a mobile application and online voting systems.
  • The authorities have announced a bounty of 200,000 Hong Kong dollars ($25,500 or €21,700) for each of the 15 activists, and 1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to the arrest of Yuen, Ho, Fok, and Choi.
  • The "Hong Kong Parliament" group has members located in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
  • The group's influence is unofficial and limited, despite its aims to promote self-determination and establish a "Hong Kong constitution."
  • Beijing's control over Hong Kong has been strengthened by the national security law imposed in 2020, leading to the arrest of opposition leaders and critics.
  • As of July 1, authorities had arrested some 333 people under the law.
  • The police have warned that aiding or funding others to participate in the "Hong Kong Parliament" could be a criminal offense.

Statistics:

  • 15,700 votes were cast in the online vote held by the "Hong Kong Parliament" group.
  • 200,000 Hong Kong dollars ($25,500 or €21,700) is the bounty announced for each of the 15 activists.
  • 1 million Hong Kong dollars is the bounty announced for information leading to the arrest of Yuen, Ho, Fok, and Choi.
  • 19 overseas-based activists have been accused of being members of the "subversive organization" abroad.
  • 15 activists have been named in the arrest warrant, including Elmer Yuen, Johnny Fok, Tony Choi, Victor Ho, Keung Ka-wai, and 14 others.
  • 333 people have been arrested under the national security law as of July 1.

Sources:

  • "Hong Kong police announce bounty for pro-democracy activists," BBC News, [no date]
  • "Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants for 15 activists," South China Morning Post, [no date]
  • "Hong Kong's national security law: What you need to know," The Economist, 2020-06-30
  • "China's national security law in Hong Kong: a timeline," The Guardian, 2020-07-01

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