Hong Kong Father of Overseas Activist Found Guilty Under Security Law Over Insurance Funds

Post by : Saif

A Hong Kong court has convicted the father of an overseas pro-democracy activist under the city’s national security law. The case has drawn attention both inside and outside Hong Kong because it involves a family member and a personal insurance policy rather than direct political action.

The man, Kwok Yin-sang, is the father of Anna Kwok, a U.S.-based activist who is wanted by Hong Kong national security authorities. She is accused of working with foreign groups against the interests of Hong Kong and China. Police have listed her among wanted overseas activists and announced a reward for her arrest.

The court ruled that Kwok Yin-sang broke the law when he tried to cancel his daughter’s education savings insurance policy and withdraw the money linked to it. The policy had been opened many years ago when she was a young child. Judges said that because she is officially classified as a fugitive, any attempt to deal with her financial assets — even indirectly — is illegal under the newer security rules known as Article 23.

This is the first time someone has been found guilty under this specific section of the locally passed national security law. Article 23 was approved in 2024 to strengthen earlier security legislation introduced in 2020. The government said the update was needed to close loopholes and improve protection against security threats. Critics warned that the wording of the law was too wide and could affect normal civil and family matters.

During the trial, the prosecution said Kwok Yin-sang attempted to withdraw about HK$88,000 from the insurance policy. After his arrest, he told officers he knew his daughter was wanted and decided to close the policy since she was no longer living in Hong Kong. Prosecutors argued that this showed he knowingly handled the financial property of a wanted person.

Kwok Yin-sang pleaded not guilty. His defense lawyer argued that the insurance plan was a long-standing family investment and not connected to any political activity. The lawyer said applying national security rules to such a case stretches the meaning of the law too far. He told the court that family financial management should not automatically become a criminal act because of a relative’s political status.

The judge disagreed and said the law clearly bans dealing with the assets of people listed as absconders under national security rules. Based on that reading, the court found him guilty. His sentence will be decided at a later hearing.

Other members of the family are also facing legal trouble. Anna Kwok’s brother has been arrested under similar accusations and is currently out on bail. Kwok Yin-sang was first denied bail but later released with strict conditions, including a travel ban and a rule that he must not contact his daughter.

The case has led to fresh debate about how national security laws should be enforced. Some international observers and rights groups say going after relatives creates fear and pressure beyond the accused person. They argue that legal systems should punish individual actions, not family connections.

Hong Kong authorities maintain that the law is being applied properly. Officials say the rules are necessary to prevent support networks from helping fugitives avoid justice. They also state that each case is handled by the courts based on evidence and legal standards.

Legal experts say the key issue is how broadly the term “dealing with assets” will be interpreted in future cases. If the definition remains wide, more family members of wanted individuals could face risk when handling shared or historical financial products.

The decision is likely to influence how Article 23 is used going forward. Lawyers expect appeals and further legal challenges that could help clarify the limits of the law. Until then, the case stands as an early and important example of how deeply the new security rules can reach into private financial matters.

For many observers, the ruling marks a turning point. It shows that national security enforcement in Hong Kong is not only focused on activists themselves, but can also extend to people closely connected to them, including family.

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