Three men have appeared in court accused of aiding the Hong Kong intelligence service and engaging in foreign interference. Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, made a brief appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The charges allege that between 20th December 2023 and 2nd May 2024, Yuen, Wai, and Trickett participated in activities such as information gathering, surveillance, and deception, purportedly to assist a foreign intelligence service. On 1st May 2024, the three men allegedly forced entry into a UK residence.
Wai, of Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey; Trickett, of Maidenhead, Berkshire; and Yuen, of Hackney, east London, appeared in the court wearing grey sweatshirts. Yuen also wore a black jacket. They confirmed their identities before being granted bail.
District Judge Louisa Cieciora imposed several bail conditions, including a curfew from 10pm to 5am, weekly reporting to their local police stations, a prohibition on international travel, and a requirement to inform police of any devices used to access the internet.
The charges fall under the National Security Act and stem from an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, which led to the arrest of 11 individuals. On 1st May, eight men and one woman were arrested in Yorkshire, followed by the arrests of another man in London and one more in Yorkshire the next day. All 11 were detained under Section 27 of the National Security Act.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the seven men and one woman who were not charged have been released from custody as of 10 May. The force clarified that this investigation is not connected to a separate case involving Russia.
Wai, Trickett, and Yuen are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on 24th May.
