Subscribers to absconders' online channels 'are breaching the law'

Wallis Wang

Subscribers to the six absconded national security fugitives' Patreon or YouTube channels might breach the law, Executive Council member and senior counsel Ronny Tong Ka-wah said.

The latest measures will effectively prevent the fugitives from receiving funds for activities endangering national security, he said.

Tong said paid subscriptions show an obvious intent to support their illegal activities overseas.

As subscribers can see the fugitives' content, they cannot argue that they did not know what they were supporting, he added.

Tong said free subscriptions that do not involve funding may also help the fugitives indirectly, as they can receive money with a high number of subscriptions.

He said Hongkongers should act carefully and avoid subscribing to the fugitives' channels.

But Tong said revoking the absconders' Hong Kong passports may not stop their activities, as they can still apply for overseas passports.

The government has the responsibility to safeguard national security and local legislation should not be a "toothless tiger," he added.

New People's Party lawmaker and former secretary for security Lai Tung-kwok said the new measures bar all Hongkongers from engaging in any monetary transactions with the six, including household expenses from their family members.

"Money transactions of any kind are not allowed," he said. Lai also said revoking the passports means they no longer have effective travel documents, which restricts them from leaving their current location.

If they wish to leave the country they currently live in, they may have to apply for another travel document or visa, he said.

Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the fugitives could apply for a short-term travel document from the country sheltering them.

The Hong Kong government imposed the measures to deter others from absconding, she said.

"The measures let people understand the consequences of absconding. For example, their professional qualifications may be revoked," Ip said.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker Elizabeth Quat Pei-fan said the measures cut off the fugitives' finances.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com