Hong Kong slams wanted activist’s ‘unfounded’ allegations about top gov’t prosecutor

Hong Kong authorities have strongly refuted "malicious smearing" allegations made by a US-based activist against a top government prosecutor. The activist, Frances Hui, who is wanted under the national security law, claimed on Facebook that the new Director of Public Prosecutions, Anthony Chau, used public funds to arrange five-star hotel stays with a female subordinate and offered her preferential career treatment.

Hui, citing insider sources, alleged that Chau requested police book rooms at the Murray Hotel for himself and the subordinate during holidays like Christmas and Valentine's Day. She also claimed Chau involved the subordinate in high-profile cases, including the trial against hedge fund Segantii and the proceedings against Jimmy Lai, to advance her career. The subordinate was reportedly a prosecutor in the Lai case alongside Chau.

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completely without factual basis, entirely fabricated, and constitute malicious smearing.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) issued a statement calling the allegations "completely without factual basis, entirely fabricated, and constitute malicious smearing." The department emphasized that an earlier anonymous complaint with similar content was rigorously investigated and found to be baseless. The DoJ stated it has referred the matter to law enforcement agencies for further investigation, condemning the "ill-intentioned" spread of rumors aimed at defaming public officers and the department.

Hui, who was granted asylum in the US in 2021, is one of five activists for whom national security police issued arrest warrants in December 2023, each with a HK$1 million bounty. She is wanted for allegedly colluding with foreign forces.

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It is ill-intentioned for someone to maliciously spread rumours online… and to deliberately smear dedicated prosecutors who perform duties in safeguarding national security.