Radio host faces sedition charge over fundraiser

An online radio host known as "Giggs" - linked to a crowdfunding campaign to help Hong Kong protesters study in Taiwan - has been charged with sedition and will appear in court today.

Wan Yiu-sing, 52, faced four counts of performing acts with seditious intention and will appear in West Kowloon Magistrates' Court.

Wan, a host at internet radio channel D100, was arrested on suspicion of seditious intent by the national security department in his North Point home yesterday.

Wan's charge is related to the crowdfunding program he launched in February last year that led to his previous arrest, sources said.

Wan had said on his program that he personally flew to Taiwan to meet with organizations and signed letters of intent with them to launch the campaign.

According to the Crimes Ordinance, Wan could be liable to a maximum penalty of HK$5,000 fine and two years in prison for the sedition charge.

On November 21 last year, officers from the national security department arrested Wan on suspicion of funding secessionists under the security law and money laundering.

Sources said they collected over HK$10 million from a crowdfunding campaign that asked 1,000 parents to donate HK$2,500 each year to help Hong Kong protesters study in Taiwan.

Half of the money was used to fund organizations that support Taiwan independence, while around HK$6 million was used for stock purchasing, according to sources.

Eight days later, national security officers used the same charges to arrest two men and a woman, aged between 28 to 58.

They were released on police bail and have to report back in early May.

Wan introduced the crowdfunding campaign on his program on February 22 last year, saying protesters who fled to Taiwan should not be left to fend for themselves.

He said the campaign was not an operation to help protesters flee Hong Kong, as he personally did not recommend people to flee.

Former lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting said the charges were baffling. "I believe we would need to wait until his case is brought to court to get hold of more information," Lam said. "Wan's arrest clearly shows that the government is relentlessly going after people who have taken part in or helped with the social movement."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com