A Hong Kong court on Thursday sentenced the father of a U.S.-based pro-democracy activist to eight months in jail for trying to withdraw money from his daughter’s insurance policy, marking the first time a family member of a wanted activist has been punished under the city’s national security law.
Kwok Yin-sang, 69, was earlier found guilty of attempting to handle financial assets belonging to an “absconder” under the 2024 security law, known locally as Article 23. His daughter, Anna Kwok, executive director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, condemned the ruling, calling it a case of “transnational repression.”
Police have offered a bounty of HK$1 million (about $127,900) for information leading to Anna Kwok’s arrest and barred anyone from managing her funds. She is among 34 activists targeted by such bounties following the 2019 anti-government protests.
Authorities allege she lobbied foreign politicians and officials for sanctions and other hostile measures against China and Hong Kong.
Reacting to the verdict, Anna Kwok said her father was convicted “simply for being my father,” describing the charge as based on an “incoherent fiction.” The Hong Kong Democracy Council also said the case marked a major escalation in what it called a campaign of transnational repression.
The court heard that the elder Kwok had purchased an insurance policy for his daughter when she was a child, which came under her control at 18. In 2025, he tried to cancel the policy and withdraw about $11,000. He was arrested the same year on suspicion of dealing with funds linked to an “absconder.”
Acting Principal Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi delivered the sentence. Kwok’s lawyer had sought a 14-day jail term, arguing there was no proof he intended to send the money to his daughter.
The offence carries a maximum seven-year sentence, but the case was heard in a magistrates’ court, where penalties usually do not exceed two years.
Police have also placed bounties on other overseas activists, including former lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui. The U.S. and U.K. governments have criticised the bounties.
In 2025, Washington sanctioned six Chinese and Hong Kong officials over alleged “transnational repression.” Beijing later announced sanctions against certain U.S. officials and NGO leaders over Hong Kong-related issues.
Hong Kong and Chinese authorities maintain that the 2020 Beijing-imposed national security law and the 2024 legislation are essential to ensure stability in the city.