In-laws of fugitive Hui questioned

National security police have taken the parents-in-law and brother-in-law of fugitive Ted Hui Chi-fung to assist officers' investigation, sources say.

Hui, who was sworn in as a lawyer in Australia last month, is one of eight Hongkongers accused of committing serious crimes hampering national security who have absconded overseas, with a HK$1 million bounty on each of their heads.

The national security police have so far questioned more than 20 relatives and friends of the eight since the bounty was announced on July 3. So far no one has been arrested.

Sources said officers raided the residence of Hui's relatives in Yuen Long yesterday. His wife's father and mother were taken to Castle Peak Police Station in Tuen Mun while the brother-in-law was taken to Yuen Long station.

It is understood that the police questioned whether the three still have contact with Hui and if they offered him financial support.

Hui's parents-in-law left the police station at 2pm yesterday and did not answer media questions.

The National Security Department attaches great importance to the case and will continue to investigate whether the eight fugitives have local agents, police said.

Hui, 41, was accused of incitement to secession, incitement to subversion and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.

Police said Hui has advocated Taiwan independence, Hong Kong independence and the overthrow of China's basic system through social media.

"Between January 2021 and December 2022, Hui published posts on social media to request foreign countries to impose sanctions and engage in other hostile activities against the PRC and the Hong Kong SAR," a police warrant read.

The police also alleged Hui has colluded with foreign forces and serves as an advisory board member of anti-China groups Hong Kong Watch in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong Democracy Council in the United States.

He lobbied Western politicians and officials to impose sanctions against the mainland and Hong Kong, police said.

In January, Hui met Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penelope Wong Ying-Yen and requested Canberra impose sanctions on the SAR government.

Hui told Australian media Special Broadcasting Service yesterday that the police action was expected.

He said his family "is under pressure as relatives in Hong Kong were threatened."

He said earlier on Facebook that he was admitted as a lawyer in Australia.

Hui said he declared he is facing 23 prosecutions and seven warrants in Hong Kong, but was still regarded as a "fit and proper person" to be a lawyer in Australia.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com