Summary
Two men who once held positions with the Hong Kong police and the UK Border Force are on trial in the UK. They are accused of conducting unauthorized surveillance on Hong Kong pro-democracy supporters seeking asylum in the UK. They face charges under the National Security Act for allegedly working on behalf of the Hong Kong authorities.
Key Facts
- Chung Biu "Bill" Yuen, a former Hong Kong police officer, and Chi Leung "Peter" Wai, a former UK Border Force official, are on trial for alleged "shadow policing" activities in the UK.
- Both men hold British passports and are accused of surveilling Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners in the UK.
- They allegedly performed these activities to assist Hong Kong authorities, who placed bounties on certain pro-democracy activists.
- The charges come under the UK's National Security Act, highlighting potential misuse of UK police resources and systems.
- Matthew Trickett, a former British Royal Marine, was involved and later found dead after being released on bail.
- Wai was accused of misusing the UK police databases from as early as 2018 for these activities.
- The surveillance activities reportedly included attempts to force their way into the home of one activist, Monica Kwong.
- Both Yuen and Wai have held roles with Hong Kong and UK institutions, with Wai also running a private security firm in the UK.
