SW News: Hong Kong police have issued arrest warrants against eight rights activists who are based abroad just a few days after the third anniversary of the imposition of the infamous National Security Law. They have been given warrants for alleged subversion activities that endanger the security of the city.

According to police spokesperson Steve Li Kwai-wah, the activists—Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, Finn Lau, Dennis Kwok, Ted Hui, Kevin Yam, Mung Siu-tat and yuan Gon-yi urged foreign governments to impose sanctions with the view of destroying Hong Kong. The eight accused are pro-democracy activists, former lawmakers and legal students.

Police in the former British colony have announced a reward of HK$1m (£100,700) for any information on these activists who are based abroad. Three of them are residing in the United Kingdom and the others are in the United States and Australia. They have been charged with violation of the national security law even while in exile. If convicted, they can be given life sentences.

The move by Hong Kong police to issue arrest warrants was described by US foreign secretary James Cleverly as an example of the authoritarian reach of China’s extraterritorial law. Flaying the move, the US State Dept. said it set a “dangerous precedent that threatens the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people all over the world.”

The national security law grants Hong Kong authorities sweeping extraterritorial powers to prosecute actions or speech made anywhere “against Hong Kong or China” as criminal acts. It is seen by activists as a tool used by communist Chinese authorities to stifle civilian liberties in Hong Kong which were guaranteed when Britain returned the colony back to China in 1997.

While Hong Kong and Chinese authorities say the national security law was enforced to restore stability in the territory, rights activists brand it as a tool to crush dissenting voices, and suppress freedom of speech and political freedom.