Event Summary
On February 12, 2026, Hong Kong court convicted Kwok Yin-sang, 69-year-old father of US-based activist Anna Kwok, under Article 23’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance for “attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources” belonging to an absconder—marking the first family member of a wanted activist convicted of national security offence. Acting Principal Magistrate Andy Cheng found Kwok guilty of attempting to withdraw HK$88,609 from education savings insurance policy he purchased for daughter when she was nearly two years old. Kwok pleaded not guilty and did not testify. Magistrate stated since Anna Kwok is fugitive, directly or indirectly handling her insurance policy is illegal. The maximum penalty is seven years imprisonment; sentencing is scheduled 26 February 2026.
Upon arrest, Kwok stated under police caution: “I know my daughter is wanted by security bureau. I was the one paying for her insurance policy. Since she’s no longer in Hong Kong, I just cut it.” Defence lawyer Steven Kwan argued sections 89-90 should not apply when person simply handling insurance policy bought long ago for children, calling this “form of prosecution based on family ties.” Anna Kwok’s brother was also arrested for same crime and is now on bail. Anna Kwok, helping lead Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC), is one of 34 overseas activists wanted by national security police for alleged foreign collusion, with a HK$1 million bounty offered. Late in 2024, Security Secretary Chris Tang invoked Article 23 powers to cancel Kwok’s passport, declare her an “absconder,” and prohibit her from dealing with Hong Kong funds. Anna Kwok stated that targeting her father is the authorities’ attempt “to drive distance between me and other Hongkongers” and “weaponise human emotions against me,” adding “The Hong Kong government’s retaliation does not and will not discourage me from my ongoing advocacy.”