UK Court Hears Hong Kong 'Shadow Police' Spy Case Against Two Men
Two men accused of operating as a "shadow police" force for Hong Kong's intelligence service have appeared at the Old Bailey in London, where prosecutors detailed allegations of espionage and foreign interference on British soil.
Defendants Deny Charges Under National Security Act
Chung Biu Yuen, 64, and former UK Border Force officer Chi Leung Wai, 38, have both pleaded not guilty to charges under the UK's National Security Act. The dual Chinese and British citizens are accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service between December 2023 and May 2024 by agreeing to undertake information gathering, surveillance, and acts of deception within the United Kingdom.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC told the court that the pair's alleged activities coincided with public statements by Hong Kong authorities offering bounties of up to HK$1 million (approximately £100,000) for information leading to the whereabouts or capture of individuals believed to have links to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Alleged Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering
The court heard that Yuen, an employee of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO) in London, allegedly used his position to gather intelligence useful to Hong Kong authorities, particularly concerning individuals believed to be pro-democracy dissidents. Prosecutors claim he tasked Wai with various activities to benefit Chinese interests while also carrying out such operations himself.
Both defendants allegedly received requests from individuals connected to Hong Kong Police and authorities to gather intelligence about "abscondees" based in the UK. Phone messages between Yuen and Wai reportedly indicated surveillance of prominent pro-democracy protester Nathan Law.
Forced Entry and Deception Tactics
The pair face additional accusations of foreign interference for allegedly "taking the law into their own hands" by forcing entry into the Pontefract address of Monica Kwong, a former Hong Kong resident who had left the territory in December 2023 after being accused of fraud against her employer, Tina Zou.
Mr Atkinson KC told jurors that the defendants conducted surveillance on Ms Kwong's address before employing deception to gain access. They reportedly posed as electricicians coming to repair a fuse and poured water under the front door to simulate a building flood. On 1 May 2024, they allegedly decided to "force their way" into her home "as if they were a legitimate police operation" before being apprehended by UK authorities.
Border Force Officer's Alleged Misconduct
Wai faces a separate charge of misconduct in public office for allegedly searching Home Office databases for names "of interest" to Hong Kong authorities during his tenure as a UK Border Force officer, which began in December 2020. Prosecutors claim he used the ATLAS computer system, which contains immigration status records and personal information, to search for multiple names including retired Hong Kong police officers and his co-defendant Yuen.
When arrested, Wai was reportedly found in possession of his legitimate warrant card from his role as a special constable in the City of London Police, along with a fake police ID identifying him as a superintendent in the force. The court also heard that Wai received payments directly from the HKETO bank account.
Mr Atkinson emphasized that the defendants' actions were allegedly taken "under the control of a foreign power, through the HKETO, under Mr Yuen's direction." The trial, expected to last up to six weeks, continues at the Old Bailey.
