Lawmaker, husband grilled over ties to fugitive

New People's Party lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan - estranged daughter-in-law of fugitive Elmer Yuen Gong-yi - says she is innocent and that she told police everything she knows when questioned by national security officers.

Yung and her husband, political analyst Derek Yuen Mi-chang, were taken in by police yesterday after Yuen admitted he had a short chat with his father while visiting the United States last month.

Elmer Yuen's eldest daughter, Mimi Yuen Mi-wahng, executive director of beauty and health products retailer Mi Ming Mart, was also taken to the police station at 10am yesterday, hours after she returned from Los Angeles.

Elmer Yuen's youngest daughter, Erica Yuen Mi-ming, moved to Canada with her husband in 2021.

Yung said a dozen national security officers showed up at her home with a search warrant at 7am when her family was still asleep.

Yung said she was taken to Western police station for a video interview that lasted nearly three hours, adding she did her best to answer questions.

"I actively told officers about the information I know. As for things I don't know, including Elmer Yuen's whereabouts, residential address and phone number, I told them honestly that I don't know," she said.

"I believe I'm innocent and I think this incident has not affected my relationship with Derek Yuen at the moment. I believe he will also cooperate with police."

She added that her two laptops and mobile phone were taken by police and then returned after the questioning. Officers also went through documents.

She said police handled the case fairly and briefed them about their rights, adding she supports the operation.

"Although I had cut ties with Elmer Yuen [in August last year], I'm still the wife of his son. Police have their own considerations. For example, maybe they believe I know more information as I live in the same [home] with Derek Yuen," she said.

"As a wife, I will take all measures to protect my family, including my husband. I also hope the investigation can prove that I have nothing to do with the case."

Yung said if she ever learns of Elmer Yuen's whereabouts, she will disclose it to police.

"I will fully cooperate with police and I wish they can arrest the eight fugitives as soon as possible."

The police warrant says Elmer Yuen allegedly colluded with foreign forces to endanger national security.

He established a Hong Kong "parliament" in the United States aimed to overturn the central and SAR governments and called for foreign sanctions on Hong Kong judges, police said.

Yuen is one of eight exiled activists - each with a HK$1 million bounty - and the fourth suspect whose family members were questioned by officers.

Police on July 11 raided the Tung Chung homes of former lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung's parents and elder brother and took them in for questioning.

They also questioned former lawmaker Dennis Kwok Wing-hang's parents, elder brother and his brother's wife, as well as unionist Mung Siu-tat's elder brother, sister-in-law and nephew last week. No arrest was made.

The other suspects are former lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung, lawyer Kevin Yam Kin-fung and activists Finn Lau Cho-dik and Anna Kwok Fung-yee.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said yesterday authorities have to investigate forces supporting the eight fugitives.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com