Ruth Comerford
BBC News
Three men have been charged under the National Security Act for allegedly assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service and engaging in foreign interference. They appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, as part of a broader investigation that involved a total of 11 individuals being detained.
The accused are Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, from Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey; Matthew Trickett, 37, from Maidenhead, Berkshire; and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, from Hackney, east London. The charges stem from actions taken between December 20, 2023, and May 2, during which they allegedly agreed to gather information, conduct surveillance, and perform acts of deception that could materially assist a foreign intelligence service.
Additionally, the men are accused of forcing entry into a UK residence on May 1. During their court appearance, they only confirmed their identities and were granted bail under strict conditions, including a curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM, weekly reporting to local police, restrictions on international travel, and obligations to inform authorities about any devices used to access the internet.
They are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on May 24. China’s government has denied the allegations against its Hong Kong intelligence service, and the Hong Kong administration has requested full details from the UK government regarding the matter.
The investigation also led to the arrest of eight men and a woman in the Yorkshire area on May 1, with further arrests occurring the next day in London. Seven of the men and the woman were released from custody by May 10.