Govt cancels SAR passports of 7 NSL suspects

Former lawmakers Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok are among seven national security suspects who have their SAR passports cancelled as the government levied a fresh round of sanctions against them. Hui and Kwok, along with Kevin Yam, Yuan Gong-yi, Anna Kwok, Joey Siu and Frances Hui – who are all living overseas – were earlier placed on a wanted list, with the authorities offering rewards of HK$1 million each for information that leads to their arrest. Secretary for Security Chris Tang told a press conference on Tuesday that the public is banned from providing the absconders with money, handling their funds, engaging in property transactions or entering into commercial partnerships with them. Kwok, Yam and Yuan also had their professional qualifications or company directorships in Hong Kong stripped. The security minister added that the authorities have initiated court proceedings to seize the money raised by Ted Hui on online platforms. "We're processing with the confiscation of the crime proceeds against Hui, and the amount is around HK$800,000," Tang said. He said the passport cancellations are useful because the group won't be able to travel. Meanwhile, the authorities have placed six more people living overseas on the national security wanted list, offering rewards of HK$1 million each for information leading to their arrest. They are scholar Chung Kim-wah, former district councillor Carman Lau, former actor Joseph Tay, and activists Tony Chung, Victor Ho and Chloe Cheung. National security police said they're suspected of inciting secession on social media, calling for sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland officials, colluding with foreign forces, and promoting a so-called referendum to achieve self-determination. Deputy police commissioner on national security, Andrew Kan, said officers are freezing their bank accounts, and that the public should not give them any money on online platforms.