A Hong Kong court sentenced 69-year-old Mr. Kwok Yan-sang, father of Anna Kwok, a pro-democracy activist exiled in the U.S., to 8 months in prison for attempting to withdraw his daughter's bail money. This is the first case in which a family member of an activist wanted abroad has been punished under Section 23 of the new National Security Law.
On Thursday, 26 Feb 2024 GMT+7, a Hong Kong court sentenced Mr. Kwok Yan-sang, 69, to 8 months in prison for violating the National Security Law. This marks the first time a family member of an activist wanted by Hong Kong authorities and living abroad has been prosecuted and sentenced.
Mr. Kwok Yan-sang was accused of attempting to manage the financial assets of his daughter, Anna Kwok, a pro-democracy activist exiled in the U.S. since 2020. He was convicted under Section 23 of the National Security Law, which expands upon the scope of the national security legislation enforced by the Chinese government.
Prosecutors stated that Mr. Kwok tried to withdraw about US$11,000 (approximately 341,000 Thai baht) from a life insurance policy he purchased for his daughter when she was a child. Although the defense argued that the policy was still in his name and thus his asset, prosecutors contended that once Anna reached adulthood, the policy automatically became her property.
Acting Chief Judge Cheng Lim-chi stated that although the defendant was not directly involved in activities affecting national security, his behavior was serious. However, the judge rejected claims that this verdict was a blanket punishment targeting activists’ families or that Mr. Kwok was singled out simply because of his relation.
Anna Kwok, 29, currently serving as Executive Director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council in the U.S., is one of 34 activists wanted by Hong Kong's national security police for conspiring with foreign forces. A bounty of HK$1 million (approximately 3.96 million Thai baht) has been placed on her arrest.
Anna Kwok stated in a social media post that she never managed the insurance matters herself. She added that the case represents "inherited guilt" and "transnational repression," further saying, "Sentencing my 69-year-old father, citing his actions as reducing my chances to appear in court, is not justice; it is a legal joke."
She said, "My father's case shows that political freedoms in Hong Kong are sinking to new lows, and the Hong Kong government is learning how to suppress any campaign that Hongkongers dare to rise up for, following China's example."
Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities and police told the media that the actions are "in accordance with the law." In a statement, they said law enforcement against any individual is unrelated to political stance, background, or occupation, emphasizing the government's responsibility to pursue suspects accused of national security offenses even if they flee abroad.
Hong Kong authorities have announced they will continue to pursue activists abroad accused of threatening national security. Bounties have been placed on 34 suspects, a move criticized as transnational repression.
Since early February, 386 people have been arrested on national security charges, with 176 already convicted.