Net widens in 'foreign collusion' case

A doctor and a social worker linked to the defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund - which supported the 2019 anti-fugitive bill protesters - have been arrested by the national security police for alleged collusion with foreign forces and conspiracy to incite others to commit riot.

The men, aged 33 and 59, were arrested in Tai Po yesterday and officers subsequently raided their homes and seized computers, electronic communication devices and tools fit for unlawful purpose as evidence.

Police said the two were suspected of conspiracy to collude with the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. They allegedly received donations from various overseas organizations to support people who have fled overseas or groups which called for sanctions against Hong Kong.

The duo were still being detained for further inquiries.

Sources said the registered doctor is allegedly a member of "Hidden Clinic" - a volunteer group providing medical care for those who cannot seek medical help from hospitals. The social worker allegedly called on protesters at the scenes in 2019 to seek help from the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund.

Officers also raided the Aberdeen home of another person who is allegedly connected to the case.

They arrived at private housing estate Jadewater at around 1pm yesterday and ,after a two-hour search, seized 47 boxes of exhibits, an iron cage, iron rods, bamboo sticks, wigs, fake breasts and chains from the flat.

Sources said the resident of the Aberdeen house is a consultant doctor at the anesthesia department of Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, but is currently abroad.

He is suspected to be connected to another volunteer group that provided medical support to protesters called "MO Oncall" and to have actively provided medical assistance to protesters at the scenes. Sources added that "MO Oncall" allegedly received funding from the 612 Humanitarian Fund and charged protesters for their medical service.

Police reminded citizens that "conspiracy to collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security" is a serious crime. Once convicted, offenders shall be liable to life imprisonment.

This was the second raid against members of groups that were funded by the 612 Humanitarian Fund in a month.

Ten people were arrested on August 10 for conspiracy to collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security and inciting riot.

The 10 - including activist Bobo Yip Po-lam, Cheuk Kai-kai, Helen Hui Kun-wing, Wong Tsz-yan and Suki Tsoi Yui-chi - were suspected of using the fund to accept donations from overseas organizations in support of people who had fled overseas or organizations that called for sanctions against Hong Kong.

Some of them are also members of a voluntary Chinese medicine group that provided assistance to protesters during the unrest.

The 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund was established in June 2019 at the height of the unrest to provide assistance to protesters. It stopped receiving new cases in August 2021 and ceased giving out funds one month later, before halting its operations in October that year.