Ronny Tong says higher subscription fees paid to fugitives may make things worse

Executive councilor Ronny Tong Ka-wah said whether paying subscription fees to fugitives’ online channels is committing an offense depends on subscribers’ intent. 

His remark came after national security police had earlier arrested four people for funding fugitives Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Ted Hui Chi-fung through their online subscription channels, with the fees ranging between HK$10,000 and HK$120,000. 

Speaking on a radio program on Friday, Tong said whether or not the subscribers have already committed an offense depends on if they have the intent to support the duo to participate in activities that endangers national security. 

He noted the subscribers’ intent has to be deducted by the court according to common sense and logic. 

Tong also said if the paid fees are relatively lower, it would be more convincing for a person to plead his case to the court. 

Yet, if the fees are high like a few hundred dollars a month, it won’t be very convincing to tell the court that the subscribers are not rooting for the duo’s activities. 

Tong appealed to citizens to stop subscribing to the channels of Law and Hui to avoid raising authorities’ suspicions. 

He also asked the duo that if they are righteous people who shoulders their own responsibilities, why would they open a channel that pushes friends and families to break the law without them even knowing. 

When asked if police will arrest all 179 subscribers, Tong believes the earlier arrests serve as a warning already which can stop them continuing to break the law. 

Also read: Ex-UK consulate worker, four others added to fugitive list