Hunted by the Regime’s Financial Persecution

Protester: “Only by leaving can I find happiness”

Many comrades have been arrested and sentenced because of their involvement in the social movement. Very often, we tell them things will be fine and they will be back on their feet again once they are out, with all the goodwill to console them. However, a fresh start is not possible for some comrades, including “Tsui Lam Estate Big Brother”. Despite enduring imprisonment, the unrelenting pursuit by the regime eventually forced him into exile. Restarting his life now feels utterly out of reach.

The nickname Big Brother sounds valiant and formidable, but it actually started as a joke among the neighbours of Tsui Lam Estate. Big Brother was one of the first protesters to be formally charged at the beginning of the Anti-Extradition Bill movement, so neighbours began jokingly calling him Big Brother. Over time, the joke became part of his identity, and the name stuck—used affectionately from group chat for the local community to day-to-day interaction.

Yet at the time, no one would have imagined that what lay behind the nickname would be years of unending persecution and suppression.

On July 14, 2019, a major march in the New Territories escalated into clashes. Police stormed into New Town Plaza, a shopping mall in Sha Tin, during their dispersal operations. This set a precedent for law enforcement to enter private premises to assault and arrest citizens. Moreover, the incident marked the first time a police officer filed a civil lawsuit against protesters, seeking compensation for injuries sustained while on duty.

That means that Big Brother unwillingly became one of the first targets of the regime’s financial persecution.

With the judicial system cooperating with political prosecutions, the charge of rioting became a catch-all offence used to silence dissents. In the early stages of the trial, Big Brother had no choice but to plead guilty in a bid to get a lighter sentence. However, the persecution didn’t end with the judge’s sentence. During the more than two years behind bars, he continued to receive stacks of legal documents regarding police compensation claims.

Imprisonment means that the incarcerated are cut off from their income, regardless of their familial financial commitment. For Big Brother, who had elderly parents and younger siblings to support, the emotional and financial burden was exaggerated. What crushed him further was the staggering amount that the police asked for. While the original compensation amount was estimated at just over HK$50,000 based on Labour Department standards for work injuries, it was later inflated by the police to HK$1.72 million.

From the Anti-Extradition Bill movement to the era of the National Security Law, political persecution has usually been associated with criminal charges. But experiences of some beneficiaries of the Bonham Tree show that even after being released, many struggle to find jobs due to their previous participation in social movements. Big Brother's case demonstrates that persecution is not just about the sentence and years behind bars. It has evolved into a combination of legal and financial means aiming to ruin dissenters’ lives.

Aside from Big Brother and his co-defendants, media reports indicate other protesters from the Anti-Extradition Bill movement are facing similar lawsuits, with compensation claims in the hundreds of thousands of HK dollars.

Declaring bankruptcy would be a way out, as some might suggest, as they would be able to start anew after the four years of bankruptcy order. Unfortunately, it does not apply to Big Brother, as his case involves personal injury and the compensation is not discharged through bankruptcy. On top of that, some released comrades bear extra pressure as they are blacklisted by their previous professional fields.

Big Brother declined to share more personal experiences to protect his family. He insisted that the threats were real. Previous cases show that some individuals continued to be monitored by national security authorities even after serving time. They are threatened or even have their families harassed against further political involvement.

Big Brother was once interviewed by an overseas media outlet about the civic lawsuit before learning last year that the court ruled he must pay over a million Hong Kong dollars. After prolonged consideration, he decided to apply for asylum through Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council while on a trip. He is now awaiting his special case approval. Bonham Tree Aid is able to provide urgent support to ease his financial burden as he cannot legally work while he awaits the asylum decision in Taiwan.

While in Taiwan, Big Brother still feels a deep sense of injustice. However, under the current conditions, Hong Kong no longer offers a place for him; only by leaving can he find happiness. Since arriving in Taiwan, he has remained active in social movements. Due to his sensitive status, he now takes a lower profile and works behind the scenes to support others.

He hopes the Taiwanese government will continue to be a model of democracy and freedom in Asia. He also wants to use his example to inform others how those in power can suppress dissents not only through physical violence but also various ways, such as legal manipulation and civil lawsuits.

He hopes Taiwan will consider continuing the current immigration arrangement to support others facing non-criminal political persecution, so they too can find a safe haven.

Illustration: @lumlilumlong_

Text: Vincent Vega

Translation: Kai T