Political and legal figures in Hong Kong have criticized those accused activists who jumped bail and fled abroad, stressing that whoever breaks the National Security Law will face legal consequences no matter where they are.
In recent interviews, they also urged Hong Kong’s young people to cherish their future and not be incited into breaking the law, as these suspects have continued to call on residents through the news media and on social media to oppose the government.
It is immoral for these radical opposition figures to evade their legal responsibility, and even worse, to call on others to continue with illegal activities
Lo Sui-on,
a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress
The comments followed the flight of at least 11 suspects arrested or charged for their roles in incidents that intended to overthrow the Hong Kong government. Five of them are wanted by the police on suspicion of violating the National Security Law for Hong Kong.
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They fled to countries, including the UK and Germany, that suspended fugitive surrender agreements with Hong Kong in July, attempting to disrupt the city’s enactment of the National Security Law.
Lo Sui-on, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress, said that it is “immoral” for these radical opposition figures to evade their legal responsibility, and even worse, to call on others to continue with illegal activities.
These cases reflected that loopholes in granting bail, said Lo. He stressed the necessity to review and improve the bail system to prevent further absconding of suspects.
Lawmaker Ben Chan Han-pan, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said that the opposition had proved itself unreliable and shameless. He called on young people who have been misled by them to come to their senses immediately.
Law professor Willy Fu Kin-chi, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, pointed out that these suspects and their so-called exile groups may breach the National Security Law as they continue campaigns against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the nation. He advised Hong Kong residents to avoid serving as accessories and to be cautious about sponsoring such activities overseas.
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The latest case involves Ted Hui Chi-fung, a former legislator who faces at least nine charges in Hong Kong. He fled to Britain where he met Nathan Law Kwun-chung, who is wanted by the police on suspicion of breaking the National Security Law. The duo discussed their “labor distribution and strategy” for their further activities in lining up with “international alliances” to challenge the central government’s authority over the city.
Another case involves former lawmaker Leung Chung-hang, who fled to the United States on Nov 30 and ignored the Hong Kong legislature’s request to repay about HK$930,000 (US$120,000) in wages and subsidies. Upon arrival in the US, Leung claimed that he will urge Washington to increase sanctions on Hong Kong and the mainland’s financial systems and to provide “asylum” for Hong Kong residents without British National (Overseas) passports.
