Hong Kong issues arrest warrants for six foreigners, including two Canadians

Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a new round of arrest warrants for six overseas-based activists – including two Canadian citizens – and set a $185,000 bounty for information. allowing their arrest.

The arrest warrants announced Tuesday indicate that the six are wanted for national security offenses, such as secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces.

Canadians Victor Ho and his compatriot Joe Tay are among six foreign activists targeted by Hong Kong police.

Mr. Ho said in a Chinese-language Facebook post that he was proud of the arrest warrant, joking that it was the best christmas gift.

But he says that as a Canadian citizen, he is protected by the Canadian Charter and is exercising his right to free speech. In addition, he accuses the Hong Kong authorities of interference in Canada's internal affairs.

Mr Ho is the former editor-in-chief of the newspaper Sing Tao Daily and helped launch a plan in Canada to elect a Hong Kong parliament unofficial in 2022.

Only the patriots are eligible for elections in Hong Kong under a 2021 law passed by China's parliament, the National People's Congress, and pro-democracy protesters have faced mass arrests.

Mr Tay is the founder of the Canada-based activist group HongKonger Station and is running for the Conservative Party nomination in the riding of Markham Unionville in Ontario.

Hong Kong police say in their statement that the six wanted activists have fled abroad.

The Hong Kong government had previously issued two sets of arrest warrants and bounties for other high-profile activists, including former lawmakers.

In his Facebook post, Mr Ho questioned whether Hong Kong authorities attempted another cross-border arrest or if Beijing wanted Canada becomes their client/subordinate state.

He joked that the reward offered had allowed him to regain some dignity of fugitive.

So I'm worth something after all, and it's hard for me to hide my pride as 2025 approaches.

MM. Ho and Tay did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

“Transnational repression abroad”, according to Joly

In a statement issued Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly “deplored the decision of the Hong Kong authorities” and warned that “this attempt by the Hong Kong authorities to carry out transnational repression abroad […] will not be tolerated.”

The Chinese embassy in Canada responded Tuesday evening by urging Canada to respect China's sovereignty, uphold the rule of law and stop “interfering” in Hong Kong affairs.

Canada has launched baseless accusations and has denigrated for no reason the Hong Kong government in carrying out its functions, the embassy said in a statement.

With information from theAssociated Press, The Canadian Press and Reuters