The Hong Kong Police Force arrested four men and six women on Thursday for suspected “conspiracy to collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security” and inciting riot. Police investigation revealed that the arrested persons were connected with the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund (612 Fund).

Since September 2021, the national security police have investigated the 612 Fund. They also served a production order under national security law, requesting the fund to furnish relevant information in connection with the investigation of offenses endangering national security. Subsequently in May 2022, the trustees of the 612 Fund were arrested for suspected contravention of the same offense. Wenweipao, a state-funded news outlet, also reported another arrest of the former secretary of the 612 Fund for the same offense in November 2022. Yet, all of those arrested are currently released on bail pending further enquiries.

The trustees and the former secretary were previously convicted of “failing to apply for registration or exemption from registration within the specified time,” contrary to the Section 5C of the Societies Ordinance. Although charitable trusts are exempted from registration under the Societies Ordinance, the court found that the 612 Fund had political objectives and thus did not enjoy exemption. These trustees include the sixth Bishop of Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun SDB, practicing barrister Dr. Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, adjunct associate professor at the Lingnan University Dr. Po-Keung Hui, former legislator Cyd Ho Sau-Lan and local singer Denise Ho.

Established in June 2019, the 612 Fund aimed to provide financial support to persons who are injured, arrested, attacked or threatened with violence during anti-extradition law amendment bill protests.  As of May 31, 2021, the 612 Fund received donations amounting to 236 million HKD. The fund used over 90 percent of the donations to support the financial needs of the targeted group, including legal fees, medical and psychological expenses, supplies for persons on remand or in custody, and emergency financial reliefs. The 612 Fund ceased operation in August 2021 because the company that provided financial services to the 612 Fund applied for liquidation.

Relatedly, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Legislative Council are currently working on crowdfunding regulations. FSTB launched a three-month consultation period in December 2022. Implementing a regulation mechanism, the FSTB hopes that the mechanism can prevent lawbreakers from “engaging in unlawful acts that are fraudulent, jeopardising public interest, or endarongering public safety or even national security in the name of crowdfunding.” Legislator Elizabeth Quat called for regulating crowdfunding in September 2021, addressing the inadequacies of current laws to regulate the 612 Fund.