SYDNEY: Australia voiced unease on Tuesday (Mar 18) over nameless letters reportedly providing hefty rewards for info on a Hong Kong activist now residing in Melbourne.
Australian citizen Kevin Yam, a lawyer and longtime Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, was focused in letters that carried his photograph and alleged nationwide safety offences.
The letters, first reported in The Guardian newspaper, supplied a reward of HK$1 million (US$128,000) to anybody who may present details about him and the allegations or “take him to Hong Kong or Australia Metropolitan Police”.
They had been despatched to houses subsequent to 2 Melbourne areas cited within the notices as being linked to Yam, the paper mentioned.
“The Australian authorities won’t tolerate surveillance, harassment or intimidation towards people or members of the family right here in Australia — this undermines our nationwide sovereignty and the safety and security of Australians,” mentioned a spokesperson for International Minister Penny Wong.
“We’re elevating our issues immediately with Chinese language and Hong Kong authorities.”
In a message on social media, Yam mentioned he would proceed to stay his “on a regular basis life”.
“I cannot voluntarily return to Hong Kong earlier than it’s free,” he mentioned.
“I cannot kill myself.”
