A former British immigration official and a retired Hong Kong police officer have been jailed in the United Kingdom for spying on Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters on behalf of China.
Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen, 66, and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 41, who worked with the UK Border Force, were convicted last month of assisting a foreign intelligence service by conducting surveillance on targets between December 2023 and May 2024.
Wai was also found guilty of abusing his position by accessing the Home Office database to obtain information on individuals under surveillance.
During proceedings at London’s Old Bailey court, Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing in London, described both dual Chinese and British nationals, activities as “truly chilling,” saying they targeted pro-democracy campaigners who were lawfully protesting against the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.
Delivering judgment, Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said the United Kingdom was facing “persistent, adaptive, and often clandestine interference by foreign state actors and those acting on their behalf.”
She added that modern espionage is not limited to military or government secrets but can include surveillance, intimidation, and targeting of individuals seeking protection under UK law.
The court sentenced Yuen to eight years in prison, while Wai received a 10-year jail term.