Singaporean authorities have refused entry to Nathan Law Kwun-chung, a wanted Hong Kong activist, deporting him back to the United States after determining his presence was "not in the country's national interest."

According to East Week, the sister publication of The Standard, Law was heading to a closed-door conference organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Singapore from San Francisco on September 27.

Upon arrival, he was detained for four hours for questioning before being deported back to San Francisco. 

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is known for its ties to U.S. intelligence and diplomatic circles. Notably, William Burns, the former chairman of the think tank, was CIA director; and Rick Waters, the head of the think tank's China center, has a 27-year-long career in the U.S. State Department's top China policy official. 

The shrinking map for fugitives: political analyst

Law's deportation underscores the dwindling options for international movement, particularly after the revocation of his Hong Kong passport.

Living in exile in the UK and the U.S. since the implementation of the national security law in 2020, Law has been relying on a UK refugee travel document. 

Some political analysts have pointed out that his failed entry indicates limited support from the UK, which puts him under scrutiny with limited protection. 

"If Britain eventually withdraws his refugee status, Law could find himself stranded, extraditable, facing a return to Hong Kong without options," a political analyst noted. 

The analyst further stated that the avenues for fugitives like Law are narrowing as China strengthens its international judicial cooperation, adding that authorities may share lists of wanted individuals, making it increasingly difficult for them to hide.

"Any attempts to transit or enter other countries could trigger alerts to mainland authorities, potentially initiate extradition processes back to Hong Kong," the analyst added.

Law, the former chairman of the disbanded pro-democracy group Demosisto, was wanted in Hong Kong for alleged breaches of the National Security Law since 2020.

He also faced allegations of sexual harassment involving a female assistant during a 2018 visit, which he claimed the incident was only a "romantic encounter."

Following public outrage over the allegations, Law was suspended from the Hong Kong Democracy Council.