The father of a wanted Hong Kong democracy activist was sentenced to eight months in prison for attempting to withdraw funds linked to his daughter's education policy, amid ongoing political repression under the national security law.
In Hong Kong, a court has sentenced a 69-year-old man to eight months in prison for violating the National Security Law by attempting to manage the assets of his daughter, a democracy activist currently wanted by authorities. This case marks the first instance of a family member being prosecuted under this law for actions related to a person who is in hiding. The father had attempted to cancel an education insurance policy and withdraw the funds for his daughter, who is living in the United States after fleeing political persecution in Hong Kong.
The court argued that the father's actions could potentially enable the daughter, who is seeking refuge abroad, to use or transfer assets, thereby increasing the possibility that she may return to Hong Kong to face legal proceedings. This ruling reflects the broader impact of the National Security Law, which has substantially cracked down on dissent and resulted in the exile of numerous activists who seek to escape government persecution.
The daughter, identified as Guo Fengyi, strongly criticized the ruling on social media, labeling the conviction as a form of "guilt by association" and suggesting that it represents a broader pattern of oppression targeting families of dissidents. Since the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, many activists have been forced to leave Hong Kong, and the authorities continue to pursue those who remain, further stifling political dissent in the region.
