The father of a U.S.-based Hong Kong pro-democracy activist was convicted Wednesday of attempting to access funds from an insurance policy held for his daughter, marking the first conviction of a family member under Hong Kong’s national security law. Kwok Yin-sang, 68, appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts building on February 11, where he was found guilty of attempting to deal with funds belonging to his daughter, Anna Kwok, who is wanted by Hong Kong authorities.
Anna Kwok, the executive director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, is accused of colluding with foreign forces. Hong Kong national security police have offered a bounty of HK$1 million (approximately $127,400 USD) for information leading to her arrest, according to sources familiar with the case.
The court heard that Kwok Yin-sang attempted to withdraw HK$88,609 (approximately $11,342 USD) from an education savings insurance policy he had purchased for his daughter when she was nearly two years old. He pleaded not guilty and did not testify during the trial. Acting principal magistrate Cheng Lim-chi ruled that, given Anna Kwok’s status as a fugitive, any attempt to manage her insurance policy was illegal.
The conviction has drawn international criticism, with rights groups condemning the targeting of family members of pro-democracy campaigners. Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas spokesperson Joey Siu called the conviction a “disturbing escalation” in the Hong Kong government’s use of the national security law, and a brazen attack on freedom of expression. Siu stated that the conviction sets a “dangerous precedent” intended to intimidate and silence those who speak out about Hong Kong issues from abroad.
According to the prosecution, Kwok Yin-sang acknowledged during police questioning that he was aware his daughter was wanted by the security bureau. The case is being viewed as a test of the scope of Hong Kong’s national security law, particularly its application to family members of individuals living abroad who are critical of the government. Anna Kwok is one of 34 overseas activists targeted with bounties by Hong Kong authorities.
A sentence for Kwok Yin-sang has not yet been announced. The Hong Kong government has not yet responded to requests for comment on the international criticism surrounding the case.
