Hong Kong Convicts Political Exile's Father in Rare Move

Authorities target relatives of activists abroad in effort to silence dissent, rights groups say

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In her first interview about the case, Hong Kong activist Anna Kwok said the authorities were targeting her family to try to silence her. A Hong Kong court convicted Kwok Yin-sang, her father, of a national security crime, in what rights groups have said is an escalation of the city's campaign to silence activists living abroad by targeting their relatives at home.

Why it matters

This case highlights Hong Kong's efforts to crack down on dissent, even targeting the families of activists who have fled the city. Punishing relatives of exiled dissidents is a tactic more commonly seen in mainland China, but now appears to be spreading to Hong Kong as well, raising concerns about the erosion of civil liberties.

The details

Kwok Yin-sang, the 68-year-old father of exiled activist Anna Kwok, was convicted of a national security crime for allegedly dealing with funds linked to his daughter, who has been deemed an 'absconder' by authorities. He faces up to 7 years in prison and was ordered not to communicate with his daughter. Anna Kwok says the government is trying to 'destroy' her family to get to her.

  • On Thursday, a Hong Kong court convicted Kwok Yin-sang.
  • Kwok Yin-sang will be sentenced on Feb. 26.

The players

Anna Kwok

A Hong Kong political activist who has fled to the United States and is a director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Kwok Yin-sang

The 68-year-old father of activist Anna Kwok, who was convicted of a national security crime for allegedly dealing with funds linked to his daughter.

John Lee

The leader of Hong Kong.

Xi Jinping

China's top leader.

Jimmy Lai

The former media mogul and democracy activist in Hong Kong who was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

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What they’re saying

“They really want this to be a source of pain for my family. I have to remind myself it is not my fault, it's not my family's fault. The government is trying to destroy my values and the people I love.”

— Anna Kwok (New York Times)

“Punishing a 68-year-old father for his daughter's peaceful activism is an alarming act of collective punishment that has no place under international human rights law. This conviction is cruel and vindictive.”

— Elaine Pearson, Asia Director, Human Rights Watch (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on February 26 whether to sentence Kwok Yin-sang to up to 7 years in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights Hong Kong's increasingly aggressive tactics to silence dissent, even targeting the families of activists who have fled the city. It represents a troubling escalation of the government's crackdown on civil liberties and political opposition, mirroring tactics more commonly seen in mainland China.