Nathan Law, the former leader of the now-disbanded political group Demosistō and a wanted fugitive by Hong Kong's National Security Department, was reportedly denied entry into Singapore last Saturday (September 27). Law was detained for hours at the airport before being deported back to the US.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee addressed the incident before an Executive Council meeting today (September 30). He reiterated that Law is a designated fugitive under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and emphasized that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will pursue his legal responsibilities for life.
"Endangering national security is a serious crime," Lee stated. "No country should shelter criminals. The HKSAR Government will enforce the law strictly and exhaust all means to bring fugitives to justice."
Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020, several anti-China separatists have fled overseas. On July 31, 2020, the police issued wanted notices for six individuals, including Nathan Law, on charges of inciting secession and colluding with foreign forces. Authorities also threatened to freeze their local bank accounts and assets.
Now 32 years old, Nathan Law is accused of inciting secession, colluding with foreign forces, and encouraging electoral boycotts. The police placed him on a HK$1 million bounty list, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is also seeking him. Law fled to the UK before the enactment of the National Security Law and was later designated a "specified absconder" by the Security Bureau, which also revoked his HKSAR passport.
In response to Law's application for so-called "political asylum," the Chinese Foreign Ministry previously stated that Law is a criminal suspect wanted by Hong Kong police and that China firmly opposes any interference in Hong Kong affairs. "No matter how these anti-China elements plead for external protection, their end will be the same—complete failure," the spokesperson said.
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