9-8-2023 (Hong Kong) Anna Kwok, a prominent pro-democracy activist based in the United States, has revealed that her parents were subjected to questioning, harassment, and intimidation by authorities in Hong Kong. This development comes weeks after Kwok and seven other democracy advocates were accused of endangering national security, prompting the issuance of bounties for their arrest.
Last month, Hong Kong authorities offered rewards of HK$1 million (US$128,000) for information leading to the apprehension of these activists, who are accused of charges such as subversion and foreign collusion.
On Tuesday, Hong Kong police’s national security department detained a man and a woman for investigation related to national security crimes. While their names were not disclosed, it is confirmed that they are Kwok’s parents.
Anna Kwok, who serves as the executive director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council, expressed her apologies to her parents in a statement for their involvement in the ongoing crackdown. She shared that her parents experienced questioning, harassment, and intimidation by authorities.
She stated, “Yesterday my parents were questioned, harassed and intimidated. Even though I feel apologetic, I must say this is a price I expected to pay.”
Kwok is not the only activist whose family members have been targeted. Relatives of other wanted activists, including Nathan Law, Mung Siu-tat, Dennis Kwok, and Elmer Yuen, have also faced police questioning in recent weeks.
The issuance of bounties by Hong Kong authorities has sparked international condemnation, with countries like the United States, Britain, and Australia expressing concern. These nations are host to the eight activists who are being sought by Hong Kong authorities.
Anna Kwok had previously engaged with the US administration to oppose the attendance of Hong Kong leader John Lee at the upcoming APEC summit in San Francisco. She believes that the bounties were intended to intimidate activists and instigate harassment from pro-Beijing segments of the population.
Since the imposition of the national security law by Beijing in 2020, Hong Kong police have arrested 260 individuals under this law. Currently, 79 of them are either convicted or awaiting sentencing in Hong Kong courts.
