Hong Kong security chief warns fund supporting protesters against making ‘underhanded profit’ in final donations push

Chris Tang questions 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund’s call for aid before its closure in October, but does not confirm whether it is under investigation

He cautions residents against engaging in acts that will endanger national security

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Secretary for Security Chris Tang. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 10:55pm, 27 Aug 2021Updated: 11:22pm, 27 Aug 2021

Hong Kong’s security chief has issued a strong warning against a fund supporting the city’s anti-government movement, questioning whether it was trying to “make underhanded profit” from a final donation drive before its imminent disbandment.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung also cautioned that anyone who aided or abetted crimes endangering national security would risk breaking the law.

Tang did not confirm whether the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund was under police investigation, only saying authorities would scrutinise any unlawful acts.

(From left) Cardinal Joseph Zen, Margaret Ng, Hui Po-keung and Denise Ho of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. Photo: Edmond So

“If any individual or organisation breaks any law, our law enforcement agencies will go all out in investigating them, and make arrests and prosecute them if we have evidence,” he said on Friday.

The fund said last week it would close in October after distributing more than HK$243 million (US$31.2 million) to protesters facing criminal prosecution or financial hardship as a result of the 2019 unrest.

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