Police in Hong Kong issued arrest warrants against five pro-democracy activists and commentators living overseas on Thursday.
In the latest crackdown on dissents, the five were accused of breaching a harsh national security law imposed by Beijing after anti-Government protests in 2019.
Arrest warrants were issued for Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, who host a YouTube channel focusing on current affairs, and pro-democracy activists Simon Cheng, Hui Wing-ting and Joey Siu.
They are thought to have moved to the United States and Britain. The warrants issued by Hong Kong authorities, which offered rewards of HK$1m (£103,000) for their arrests, were condemned by both the UK and Washington.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the UK would not “tolerate any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities” in Britain.
“This is a threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights,” he said. Meanwhile, a US State Department spokesperson deplored the "egregious actions" taken by Hong Kong authorities.
“That shows blatant disregard for international norms for democracy and human rights," said the spokesman.
“Hong Kong authorities have no jurisdiction within United States borders where the advocates for democracy and freedom will continue to enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed freedom and rights."
In July, Hong Kong warned eight other activists who now live abroad that they would be pursued for life under bounties put on them in the first such move under the security law, drawing condemnation.
Steve Li, chief superintendent of the police national security department, said police would try their best to cut financial support to the five activists newly added to the wanted list.
Cheng wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he embraced the charges. "Being hunted by China (Hong Kong)'s secret police, under a one-million-dollar bounty, is a lifelong honour," he wrote.
Siu said on X that she would not be silenced, writing: “I will never back down."
Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International's deputy regional director for Greater China, said the tactic of placing bounties on activists appeared to be emerging as a method of choice to silence dissent. She called for authorities to withdraw them.
"The placement of a bounty under the guise of national security charges is an act of intimidation that transcends borders," she said in a statement.
