Hong Kong government lashes out at unnamed countries for harbouring criminals
- The nations turn a blind eye to offences committed by criminals and disregard potential security threats posed to the local community, spokesman says
- Criticism comes days after fugitive Nathan Law revealed British Home Office had classified him as a refugee
“They turn a blind eye to the offences committed by the criminals and disregard the potential security threats posed to the local community and residents,” a government spokesman said in a statement on Friday. “They shall eventually bear the consequences of what they have done.”
The statement came a day after Beijing accused Britain of sheltering wanted suspects by granting political asylum to Hong Kong fugitive and former opposition lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung, and demanded London reverse the decision.
Law said on Wednesday night the British Home Office had classified him as a refugee under the United Nations’ Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and offered him asylum.
“I hope that my case can help the Home Office understand more about the complicated situation in Hong Kong. To free more protesters from Beijing’s authoritarian oppression, the Home Office could consider more comprehensive evidence when coping with Hong Kong cases,” the former student leader wrote on social media.
Apart from Law, a number of prominent activists have also fled charges in Hong Kong. They include fugitive ex-lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung, ousted pro-independence lawmaker Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang and activist Ray Wong Toi-yeung, who are based in Australia, the United States and Germany, respectively.
The spokesman said the Hong Kong government strongly disapproved of harbouring criminals in any form by any country, region, organisation or individual.