Latest news with #collusion
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
China security office flexes new power with Hong Kong probe
Beijing's national security office in Hong Kong has carried out its first known joint operation with city officials, marking an expansion of China's direct law enforcement in the financial hub. Local authorities on Thursday night announced they were investigating a case of alleged foreign collusion with China's Office for Safeguarding National Security. The office interviewed six people after requesting the support of Hong Kong police using new powers granted last month, according to a statement. Hong Kong security officials searched the homes of six suspects, as well as the office of an organization, and seized evidence including bank documents and devices. The individuals were also required to surrender their travel documents. The suspects are accused of "collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security' from November 2020 to June 2024, the government said. The statement didn't reveal their identities. The raids show Hong Kong's clampdown on dissent is still expanding, five years after President Xi Jinping imposed a security law on the city to cement Communist Party control. Hong Kong officials this week banned a video game for the first time under security legislation, accusing it of advocating armed revolution. That came days after imprisoned former activist Joshua Wong was hit with a fresh security charge. The one-time poster child of the city's pro-democracy protest movement was due for release in early 2027, having served two-thirds of his current 56-month prison term. In response to a Bloomberg News inquiry, a spokesman for the Hong Kong government said it "strongly opposes to unfounded allegations and slandering remarks against the joint operation' without specifying the offending statements. No one has been arrested in the ongoing investigation, the person said in an emailed reply. The joint operation this week marked the first application of the Safeguarding National Security Regulation, which was fast-tracked into law to facilitate Chinese security personnel. While the Beijing-imposed security law allows mainland officials to assume jurisdiction in certain cases, the new measures bolstered that legal framework for China's security apparatus to operate directly within Hong Kong's common law system. The May 13 legislation, which took effect before being review by lawmakers, requires Hong Kong government departments and civil servants to provide "all necessary and reasonable assistance, facilitation, support, backing and protection' to the Chinese security officers upon request. The new rules also criminalize acts that could impede the China-run office's work, including disclosing details of its investigations, with penalties extending up to seven years in prison and fines. The Hong Kong government has signaled a continued emphasis on national security even as it vows to focus on supporting growth, which has been challenged by China's slowdown and an uncertain external environment.
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Probe under way on whether Beijing will take over collusion case: Hong Kong's Chris Tang
Beijing's national security arm in Hong Kong conducted its first publicly known joint operation with the city's police to determine whether a suspected collusion case is complex to the extent that it requires mainland China to take over, the security minister has revealed. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that no arrests had been made so far, adding it would require the central government's approval if the case were to be handed over. His remarks were made after the government announced on Thursday night the joint operation between local police and Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security, with observers predicting that it could be the first step in an investigation into an unusually complex collusion situation that was ultimately handed over to mainland authorities. 'The office will need to ascertain whether there were any situations specified under Article 55 [of the national security law] … we need to understand and investigate whether these had happened,' Tang said during a radio programme. Secretary for Security Chris Tang has said that no arrests have been made so far. Photo: May Tse Under the article, the office shall exercise jurisdiction over cases deemed complex due to the involvement of a foreign country or external elements, making it difficult for Hong Kong to proceed.
NHK
7 days ago
- Politics
- NHK
Hong Kong reveals first probe by China's national security authorities
Hong Kong has disclosed what is the first publicly known investigation by China's national security arm in the territory. Hong Kong's government said on Thursday that China's Office for Safeguarding National Security conducted a joint operation with local police. It said six individuals and one organization were targeted for allegedly colluding with external forces between 2020 and June last year. They are suspected of violating Hong Kong's National Security Law, introduced five years ago. Based on the law, the Chinese office can supervise and give instructions to Hong Kong's government. It can also investigate what are described as complex cases involving foreign elements, and file charges with courts in mainland China.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing-Hong Kong operation may be first step in ‘complex national security case'
A joint operation by Beijing's national security arm in Hong Kong and the city's police could be the first step in an investigation into an unusually complex collusion case that is ultimately handed over to mainland Chinese authorities, observers have said. Advertisement The investigation is the first publicly known cooperation between the two sides and comes just weeks after the city passed legislation supplementing the domestic national security law aimed at allowing the Beijing office to better carry out its duties. The force cited the new law in 'reminders' it sent to the Post and other media outlets on Friday saying that disclosing any information related to individuals or organisations linked to the investigation could be an offence. The government announced on Thursday that six people and an organisation were suspected of colluding with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security between November 2020 and June 2024. The statement said Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security, with its director's approval, had requested assistance and support from the city's national security police in arranging interviews with the people involved. Advertisement But it provided no other details, such as personal information about the individuals or the nature of the organisations involved, the date of the interviews and whether any arrests had been made.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Senior judge appointed to chair Finucane Inquiry
A senior judge has been appointed to chair an independent inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. Mr Finucane, 39, was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast in 1989 by the Ulster Defence Association in an attack found by a series of probes to have involved collusion with the state. His widow and the couple's three children have been campaigning for decades for a public inquiry to establish the extent of security force involvement. Last year Secretary of State Hilary Benn announced the UK Government would establish an independent inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Finucane's death. It is to be established under the Inquiries Act 2005, with full powers, including the power to compel the production of documents and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. On Friday morning, Mr Benn announced he has appointed Sir Gary Hickinbottom as chairman of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry. Sir Gary is the current president of the Welsh Tribunals and is a retired Court of Appeal Judge, who undertook the statutory inquiry into corruption and governance in the British Virgin Islands. Mr Benn has also appointed the former police ombudsman for Northern Ireland Baroness Nuala O'Loan as well as Francesca Del Mese as assessors to the inquiry. They are to provide advice to the chairman on their relevant expertise in regards to the inquiry, while also giving further assurance about the inquiry's independence. The next step in the process involves Mr Benn consulting with Sir Gary on the proposed terms of reference for the inquiry. Mr Benn said he is confident the inquiry will provide answers to Mr Finucane's family. 'The murder of Mr Finucane was a barbarous and heinous crime, and one which continues to highlight the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland,' he said. 'I commend and support the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and her family in seeking answers to the brutal murder of their loved one, and I am confident that this inquiry will provide answers to the family who have suffered so terribly.' He added: 'I am delighted that Sir Gary Hickinbottom has accepted this important role as chair of the Patrick Finucane inquiry and that Baroness O'Loan and Francesca Del Mese have accepted the important roles of assessors to the inquiry. 'I am confident that, together, their valuable knowledge, experience and professionalism will be of great benefit to the work of the inquiry.' Sir Gary said he looks forward to meeting Mr Finucane's family as soon as possible. 'I am privileged to take on responsibility for leading this public inquiry into the important issues raised by the circumstances surrounding the murder of Patrick Finucane, something I will do not only in accordance with my statutory duties but as fairly, openly and transparently as I can,' he said. 'At the heart of this case lies a family who lost their husband and father in horrific circumstances, and I look forward to meeting the Finucane family in Belfast as soon as possible.' Baroness O'Loan said: 'I look forward to taking up this role, having been appointed by the Secretary of State. 'The Finucane family has always been concerned that the full story of what happened should be told and this independent inquiry will provide the opportunity to do so. 'There remain unanswered questions and the public interest requires that we seek as best we can to get the answers to those questions.' Ireland's deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris welcomed the announcement. 'This is the final outstanding inquiry from those that were recommended by Judge Cory in 2004 and it is positive that it can now move to beginning its important and substantive work,' Mr Harris said. 'Today's announcement highlights the importance that a way forward is found to comprehensively address all the outstanding cases of the Troubles, in a way that is human rights compliant and that has the needs of victims and families at its heart. 'I continue to engage closely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with this objective.'
