Hong Kong police detain and question sister-in-law of pro-democracy activist News
Voice of America, Cantonese Service, Iris Tong, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Hong Kong police detain and question sister-in-law of pro-democracy activist

Hong Kong’s national security police detained and questioned the sister-in-law of Hong Kong fugitive pro-democracy activist Nathan Law-Kwun-Chung on Saturday, according to Hong Kong’s public broadcaster and local media.

The wife of Law’s older brother was taken away by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force after a home raid. Authorities suspected that she still has connections with Law and Demosisto, an opposition party that was disbanded following the passing of National Security Law. Last month, the activist’s family home was raided and his parents and brother were questioned by the Hong Kong Police Force about financially support.

Law was the founder and the chairman of Demosisto. In 2016, the year Demosisto was formed, he won the direct election to the Legislative Council and became the youngest-ever legislator in Hong Kong history at 23, but was disqualified later that year due to improper oath-taking. Soon after the disbandment of Demosisto in 2020, Law moved to the United Kingdom over concerns about the National Security Law, but he continues to be active in the political arena overseas and on social media. As of Sunday afternoon, Law had not posted any comments on the most recent arrest of his family members.

Alongside Law, 7 other anti-government activists are wanted by the Hong Kong Police Force, with HK$1 million bounties being offered for each arrest. Under Article 37 and 38 of the National Security Law, the law’s provisions also apply to anyone outside Hong Kong, but police do not have the power to arrest activists who are currently overseas. Last month, relatives of activists Dennis Kwok, Mung Siu-tat and Elmer Yuen were also detained for investigation by the national security police.