Hong Kong invokes new law to cancel passports of 6 overseas-based activists, including Nathan Law

HONG KONG (AP) — The Hong Kong government on Wednesday canceled the passports of six overseas-based activists under the new national security law, stepping up its crackdown on dissidents who moved abroad.

Those affected were former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, unionist Mung Siu-tat and activists Simon Cheng, Finn Lau, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi — all accused of endangering national security by the authorities. The government said they have “absconded” to the U.K.

Last year, police offered rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($128,000) each for information leading to their arrests and drew sharp criticism from Western governments.

According to the official statement, authorities also banned anyone from providing funds or economic resources to the six, leasing properties to them or forming any joint venture with them, among other restrictions. Doing so without authorization would carry a penalty of up to seven years in prison.

The government said it acted because the six were continuing to engage in activities that endanger national security, smearing the city and colluding with external forces.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang said in a news briefing that some officials, politicians and media outlets in the U.K. have smeared the city’s government in an attempt to damage the rule of law in the financial hub, and tried to influence judicial decisions in some national security cases.

The six activists have been sheltered in the U.K, Tang said.

“We have to combat, deter and to prevent those people who have committed the offenses relating to endangering national security through absconds,” he said.

Tang, when asked whether subscribing to the activists’ accounts on Patreon and YouTube is illegal, said anyone who provides