Arabic version: تبدأ المحاكمة للرجال المتهمين بعمليات سرية لصالح الصين في المملكة المتحدة
Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen, 65, and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 38, are on trial for allegedly engaging in “shadow policing” in the UK on behalf of China. The court heard that both men, who held British passports, are accused of conducting surveillance on Hong Kong pro-democracy activists claiming asylum in the UK. They face charges under the National Security Act.
According to BBC News, Yuen is a former Hong Kong police officer currently employed by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, while Wai worked for the UK Border Force and held a volunteer position with the City of London Police. The prosecution claims they collaborated with Matthew Trickett, a former British Royal Marine, who was found dead in May 2024 after being released on bail.
The prosecution, led by Duncan Atkinson KC, stated that Wai misused police and Home Office computer systems, gathering sensitive information on asylum seekers from Hong Kong. Atkinson described their actions as acting without legal authority, essentially conducting surveillance as if they were legitimate law enforcement officers. This included targeting individuals who had bounties placed on them by the Hong Kong authorities.
The court was informed that the Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee, aimed to pursue individuals labeled as absconders. Among those allegedly monitored was Monica Kwong, who has faced false accusations of fraud. The prosecution alleges Yuen and Wai attempted to enter her home under the guise of a police operation before being intercepted by actual UK police.
Wai has been linked to further misconduct, having communicated with a former Hong Kong police chief about infiltrating pro-democracy groups in the UK. The prosecution indicated that Wai had been involved in unauthorized checks of police databases as early as 2018 and had made threatening moves towards protestors in London.
Both Yuen and Wai deny the charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and foreign interference. Wai also contests a charge of misconduct in public office. The trial is anticipated to last six to seven weeks.
