“The only way to end their fate as fugitives, who will be hunted for the rest of their lives, is to turn themselves in,” John Lee told reporters. He added that otherwise the eight activists would live “in fear”.

The group in question included former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Ted Hui Chi-fung and Dennis Kwok Wing-hang. Also listed are former trade unionist Mung Siu-tat and activists Elmer Yuen Gong-yi, Finn Lau Cho-dik, Anna Kwok Fung-yee and Kevin Yam Kin-fung.

The eight activists fled after Beijing enacted the National Security Act on Hong Kong in 2020 to suppress dissent following pro-democracy protests in 2019. They are accused of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security, an offense punishable by life imprisonment.

Call to reproach

John Lee also called on the public to help police, adding that even “family and friends” of activists could provide information. Police have promised a one million Hong Kong dollar (117,000 euro) reward for information.

Actions condemned by the United States, Britain and Australia, countries where some of the wanted activists live. “The political pressure we’re under doesn’t frighten me, because we are doing what we think is right,” said the Hong Kong leader.

“We will not tolerate China’s attempts to intimidate and silence individuals in the UK and abroad,” UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Monday. The UK will always uphold the universal right to freedom of expression and defend those who are attacked.”

“British politicians have openly offered refuge to fugitives,” a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Britain said in a statement, deploring London’s “meddling” in China’s internal affairs.

“They are against international law”

Among those wanted is Nathan Law, a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement, who fled Hong Kong for Britain, where he was granted political asylum. On the phone, Nathan Law, 30, has the perfectly calm voice of someone who is no longer surprised by anything. “This is a very classic intimidation tactic… Wherever we are, the National Security Office wants to arrest us,” he said.

But the process gave him goosebumps: a million Hong Kong dollars on his head, that is, over 100,000 euros. “This makes me nervous, because it could encourage people here or anywhere in the world to give information about me and my real whereabouts. I have to be more careful,” he complained.

Nathan Law continued to see the glass half full, predicting that with these steps, the Hong Kong authorities must have discredited themselves before the international community: “I have refugee status in the UK, which should protect me… It is clear that the actions of the Hong Kong government very aggressive and inconsistent with international law.” International agencies should stop cooperating with Hong Kong, he said, and certainly not support this arrest warrant.

And with AFP