LCQ5: Wanted persons
26.4.2023

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, in the Legislative Council today (April 26): Question: Regarding the persons wanted by the law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the total number of wanted warrants issued by various law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong in the past five years, together with a breakdown by name of law enforcement agency, nationality of the wanted person and type of offence involved; (2) among the aforesaid wanted persons, of the number of those suspected to have fled Hong Kong, together with a breakdown by nationality of such persons, type of offence involved and destination to which they fled; (3) whether the authorities have sought assistance from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) or foreign governments in respect of the wanted persons suspected to have fled Hong Kong; if so, of the details, including the levels of Notices issued by INTERPOL on critical crime-related information against such persons; (4) of the other actions or measures taken by the authorities to bring the wanted persons to justice in addition to seeking assistance from INTERPOL or foreign governments; and (5) of the number of wanted persons arrested and surrendered to Hong Kong following the issuance of Notices on critical crime-related information by INTERPOL in the past five years? Reply: President, Having consulted the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the consolidated reply to the Member's question is as follows: (1) and (2) As the disclosure of information relating to wanted persons would jeopardise investigation and detection of crimes, as well as the arrest or prosecution of criminals, the HKPF will not release such information. (3) and (4) Any person wanted for prosecution in respect of an offence who has absconded from Hong Kong is a fugitive offender. In light of the actual circumstances of each case, the HKPF will track down the whereabouts of the fugitive offender through various means, including bilateral co-operation and seeking assistance from the law enforcement agencies of other countries, in order to bring him/her to justice in accordance with the law. Both sides will, based on actual circumstances, exchange intelligence and conduct case meetings to ascertain the fugitive offender's movement and plan follow-up operations. In fact, the Government has been actively establishing co-operation with other jurisdictions on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. On the other hand, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) works closely with all member countries and international organisations such as the United Nations and the Europol to combat transnational crimes. The HKPF is the Sub Bureau of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in China, and has always supported the work of the INTERPOL and maintained close ties with other member states. Depending on the actual circumstances of each case, if the case fulfills the regulations laid down by the INTERPOL, the HKPF may apply to include a fugitive offender under an INTERPOL "Red Notice" to inform the INTERPOL member countries of his/her status as a fugitive offender. The relevant operation details should not be disclosed in order not to affect the investigation and arrest of the offender. (5) In the past five years, after the INTERPOL had issued wanted warrants, two wanted criminals were successfully surrendered to Hong Kong for follow up in accordance with bilateral arrangement for the surrender of fugitive offenders or applicable multilateral international convention.