Father of Hong Kong Activist Anna Kwok Convicted under National Security Law

On February 11, 2026, a Hong Kong court ruled that 69-year-old Kwok Yin-sang violated Hong Kong’s National Security Law (also called Article 23) by attempting to handle financial assets belonging to his exiled daughter, Anna Kwok.

This marks the first conviction of its kind. Kwok was accused of trying to cancel an insurance policy purchased years ago for Anna and withdrawing about HKD 80,000. The court determined that this constituted illegal handling of assets belonging to a person listed as a “fugitive.” Kwok denied the charges and did not testify in court. His defense lawyer argued there was no evidence he intended to transfer the funds to his daughter, but the judge still found him guilty. Sentencing will be announced on February 26, with a maximum prison term of several years.

Anna Kwok is the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council based in Washington, D.C., and is wanted by Hong Kong police as an overseas democracy activist. Authorities issued a HKD 1,000,000 bounty for her in 2023, accusing her of colluding with foreign forces. Anna condemned the ruling on social media, claiming her father was punished solely for being her parent. International human rights organizations criticized the case as collective punishment and cross-border intimidation, raising serious concerns about the National Security Law’s scope.