Former Confederation of Trade Unions leaders brought in for questioning by Hong Kong national security police
- Four members of opposition-leaning union had failed to respond to series of questions raised by National Security Department
- ‘The core members of the CTU allegedly violated the Societies Ordinance and needed to assist our investigations,’ a police source says
Four one-time leaders of what was formerly the city’s biggest opposition-leaning trade union have been taken in for questioning by national security police after the disbanded group was accused of breaching a law governing the registration of local organisations.
The four members of the Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU), which folded in October, had failed to respond to a series of questions issued by the National Security Department last month regarding the organisation’s operations and finances, as well as its subordinate groups and their links to foreign entities.
A source said former CTU chairman Joe Wong Nai-yuen, vice-chairman Tang Kin-wah and treasurer Chung Chun-fai were taken to police stations on Thursday morning to be questioned, while general secretary Lee Cheuk-yan, who is serving time over unauthorised assemblies, was also interviewed by officers.
“In a letter sent to the force last Thursday, the group failed to disclose requested information about its operations, past activities, financial sources and links to groups outside Hong Kong,” the police insider said.
“The core members of the CTU allegedly violated the Societies Ordinance and needed to assist our investigations. No arrests have been made.”
Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to HK$100,000 (US$12,840) and six months behind bars. Those who provide false, incorrect or incomplete information face the same fine and a jail term of up to two years.