HONG KONG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force recently arrested two men on suspicion of violating the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other related laws, for assisting in arranging funds for fugitives, according to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday.
On April 30, the two men, aged 35 and 68, were arrested on suspicion of committing "attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder," contravening the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the Crimes Ordinance.
This case marks the first time that the Hong Kong police have invoked the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to address offenses related to assisting in the handling of funds for fugitives.
The department laid a charge against the 68-year-old man on Friday with one count of "attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder." The other arrested man was released on bail pending further investigations.
The Secretary for Security of the HKSAR government on Dec. 24, 2024, exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify seven absconded fugitives, including Kwok Fung-yee, for being suspected of having committed offences endangering national security.
Investigations revealed that the two arrested persons assisted Kwok Fung-yee in changing the details of an insurance policy and attempted to withdraw its remaining value.
