Extraditions Possible Under New Law: Tam Yiu-chung

Hong Kong people accused of breaking the soon-to-be implemented national security law could find themselves extradited to the mainland for trial, according to National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) member Tam Yiu-chung.

Tam told RTHK on Wednesday that he believes cases involving suspected foreign interference could be among those that the mainland authorities decide to handle, rather than leaving them to the SAR.

His comments come after Deng Zhonghua, a deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said on Monday that the mainland will need to have jurisdiction over cases where national security has been severely threatened.

Tam was asked on a radio programme whether this means Hong Kong people suspected of violating the security law could be sent across the border to be put on trial.

"If the central government thinks it is necessary [for such people to be extradited to the mainland] ... that is an option. But it depends on how the central government will exercise its jurisdiction," he replied.

Tam also said that mainland agents may "guide" the SAR's police when it comes to enforcing the new law.

Xinhua News Agency has reported that Beijing will speed-up the process of bringing in the legislation. But Tam noted that the matter is not on the agenda for the NPCSC's meeting between Thursday and Saturday this week.