HK cancels passports of 6 'lawless' democracy activists

It says they continue to engage in activities that endanger national security from the UK

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The Hong Kong government said on June 12 it had cancelled the passports of six democracy activists who fled to the United Kingdom, calling them "lawless wanted criminals".

Since the authorities quashed massive, at times violent, pro-democracy protests in 2019, Hong Kong has intensified a crackdown on dissent, enacting security laws that critics like Britain and the United States say have curbed the city's unique freedoms.

Hong Kong in 2023 issued HK$1 million (S$173,000) bounties for 13 activists based abroad whom the authorities accused of committing national security crimes.

The six named - all on the bounty list are considered "lawless wanted criminals... hiding in the United Kingdom", a government spokesperson said in a statement.

"They continue to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security. They also make scaremongering remarks to smear and slander the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," the spokesperson said.

Besides cancelling their Hong Kong passports, police said anyone offering funds, leasing property or running a business with those named could face up to seven years in jail.