The Secretary for Security today exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify 16 individuals who are subject to warrants of arrest issued by the court on suspicion of having committed offences endangering national security, and state the measures to be applied against them by notices published in the Government Gazette.

The suspects are Victor Ho, Chan Lai-chun, Feng Chongyi, Gong Sasha, Ng Man-yan, Tsang Wai-fan, Chin Po-fun, Paul Ha, Hau Chung-yu, Ho Wing-yau, Keung Ka-wai, Tony Lam, Agnes Ng, Wong Chun-wah, Wong Sau-wo and Zhang Xinyan.

The Police Force’s National Security Department announced on July 25 that the 16 absconders, together with Yuan Gong-yi, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da, were put on wanted list, with rewards offered in respect of each of them.

These 19 people are suspected of committing offences under the National Security Law by organising, establishing, or participating in, outside Hong Kong, a subversive organisation named the "Hong Kong Parliament". The court has issued arrest warrants against them upon application by Police.

Three measures are applicable to the 16 absconders specified today: "Prohibition against making available funds etc. or dealing with funds etc.", "Prohibition against certain activities in connection with immovable property", and "Prohibition in connection with joint ventures or partnerships with relevant absconders".

The measure of "Cancellation of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports etc." is applicable to most of the absconders, while the measure of "Temporary removal from office of director" is applicable to individual absconders.

The Government noted these wanted criminals are hiding in the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, China's Taiwan region, etc, and they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security.

In addition to stressing that they intended to incite hatred through smears and slander against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR, the Government made it clear that as a consequence, it has taken such measures to make a significant impact.

Separately, Police remind the public that, except under the authority of a licence granted by the Secretary for Security, any person, whether directly or indirectly, making available any funds or other financial assets or economic resources to a relevant absconder, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.