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Three Men Charged Under UK National Security Act for Hong Kong-Linked Activities

August 6, 2024August 6, 2024By Saanvi Sharma
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Three Men Charged Under UK National Security Act for Hong Kong-Linked Activities

British authorities have prosecuted three men for allegedly breaching the UK’s National Security Act 2023 by assisting an overseas intelligence service and engaging in foreign interference on behalf of Hong Kong.

The spotlight fell on 63-year-old defendant Bill Yuen Chung-biu, an office manager at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.

The three are alleged to have gathered information, carried out surveillance, and forced entry into a residential address in the United Kingdom. Here, the Post takes a look at their alleged offences and backgrounds.

Bill Yuen
Bill Yuen, 63, is the office manager at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and a retired Hong Kong police officer. According to the office’s organization chart, the administration unit’s office manager is named “Bill C B Yuen”. Yuen is accused of contravening the National Security Act 2023 by gathering information, conducting surveillance, and engaging in deceptive acts likely to assist a foreign intelligence service in UK-related activities. The alleged crimes took place between December 20 last year and May 2. Additionally, Yuen and the other two men face foreign interference charges for allegedly forcing entry into a UK residential address on May 1.

Peter Wai Chi-leung
Peter Wai, 38, is a City of London Police special constable and the director of D5 Security Limited. According to British companies registry documents, Wai is the director of D5 Security Limited, a private firm based in the country. The company provides services for high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses in the UK, mainland China, and Hong Kong. The firm claims its staff have extensive backgrounds in the British military and police, offering professional services to wealthy clients. Wai is said to have over 20 years of experience in the British military, police, and private security sectors. He also holds directorships in six other companies.

Matthew Trickett
Matthew Trickett, 37, is an immigration enforcement officer and the director of MTR Consultancy, a firm focused on security, surveillance, and private investigations. According to the UK’s companies registry documents, Trickett is a director of MTR Consultancy Limited, which specializes in private security activities. He is also listed as a former director of D5 Consultancy Services Limited.