Hong Kong Police Focus on Investigating Civic Groups and Donors Linked to Jimmy Lai

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Hong Kong police are focusing their investigation on a civic group linked to Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, who was previously arrested on the 10th and released on bail, as well as online donors, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 13th.

According to SCMP, after arresting Jimmy Lai on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law, Hong Kong police are now focusing their investigation on the civic group called "Stand with Hong Kong (SWHK)" associated with him. This civic group attracted attention from Hong Kong authorities after raising $1.69 million (approximately 2 billion KRW) through an online fundraising campaign, pledging to carry out activities appealing for international solidarity to block the Hong Kong National Security Law, following the announcement by the National People's Congress of China at the end of May that it would push forward with the enactment of the law.

After the Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect on June 30, SWHK claimed that the law was a clear violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and urged the British government to immediately consider sanctions against China and Hong Kong. The Sino-British Joint Declaration, signed in 1984 between China and the United Kingdom, stipulates that Hong Kong's current system will be maintained for 50 years after its return to China in 1997, recognizing autonomy in legislation, judiciary, administration, education, and other areas except for foreign affairs and defense.

SCMP cited a source saying that Hong Kong police are investigating allegations that Jimmy Lai and his two sons have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding to the SWHK group through overseas accounts over the past six weeks. According to the source, Agnes Chow (周庭), a key figure in the "Umbrella Movement" who was arrested on the 10th, along with two other activists, are also suspected of being core members of this group.

Mark Simon, known as a close aide to Jimmy Lai, Samuel Chu, president of the Hong Kong Democracy Council active in the United States, and another activist are also reportedly suspected of urging sanctions against Hong Kong in the US and Europe. SCMP reported that a source from Hong Kong authorities said, "We are investigating those who financially supported this group," adding, "If donors continued to contribute to this group knowing the illegal activities, it would constitute a violation of the Hong Kong National Security Law."