Hong Kong Jails Father of US-Based Activist Under National Security Law

Hong Kong — A Hong Kong court has sentenced Kwok Yin-sang, father of US-based pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok, to eight months in prison under the city’s national security law for attempting to access her funds.

Kwok, 69, was convicted on February 11 for “attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources” belonging to an “absconder,” marking the first time anyone has been charged under this provision of the law, also known as Article 23.

Details of the Case

The offence involved Kwok trying to withdraw HK$88,609 ($11,342) from an insurance policy purchased for his daughter when she was two years old. He pleaded not guilty and did not testify at trial. Magistrate Andy Cheng described the case as serious and emphasised that it was unrelated to family ties.

“There is no such thing as … collective punishment, and it has absolutely nothing to do with whether the defendant and the fugitive are family,” Cheng said in court.

Kwok appeared calm in court on Thursday and waved goodbye before being taken back into custody.

Daughter Responds From Washington

Anna Kwok, who leads the Hong Kong Democracy Council, is one of 34 overseas activists wanted by Hong Kong authorities for allegedly colluding with foreign forces. Police have offered a HK$1 million ($128,000) bounty for her arrest.

From Washington, Anna Kwok called the case “utterly despicable” and expressed personal anguish over her father’s imprisonment. “This is the first case, but it is not going to be the last case,” she said, adding that she wished to hug him and apologize for the predicament.

National Security Law Context

China imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in 2020. In 2024, Hong Kong passed additional legislation — Article 23 — to close perceived loopholes in the national security regime. Critics say these laws have been used to target pro-democracy activists and limit freedoms in the city.

Kwok’s sentencing highlights the expanded reach of Hong Kong’s national security framework, raising fresh concerns among international human rights observers.