Wanted HK activist Nathan Law denied entry into S’pore, presence not in national interests: MHA
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Mr Nathan Law, a leader of the 2014 Occupy movement in Hong Kong, is one of eight people wanted by the city’s authorities for national security offences.
PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE – Hong Kong political activist Nathan Law, who is wanted by the city’s authorities for national security offences, was denied entry into Singapore because it is “not in Singapore’s national interests”, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
In response to queries, an MHA spokesman on Sept 29 said Mr Law touched down at Changi Airport from San Francisco on Sept 27.
The spokesman said: “He was referred for questioning, and immigration and security assessment. Law was then refused entry. He was placed on the earliest flight back to San Francisco on Sept 28.”
Mr Law fled Hong Kong in 2020. The Hong Kong police then issued a warrant of arrest against him for offences under the city’s national security law, the spokesman said.
“Law’s entry into and presence in the country would not be in Singapore’s national interests,” said the spokesman.
On Sept 29, Mr Law told The Straits Times that he was coming to Singapore for a closed-door, invitation-only event. He added that those attending the event were planning to “share insights on particular issues”, but he declined to give more details.
He also said he had obtained a single-journey, short-term visa to enter the country.
Mr Law carries a British refugee travel document but no passport. He said he has never been to Singapore, and was planning to spend five days in the country.
According to the British Home Office, the document can be used to travel to any country, apart from the country the holder sought asylum from, and cannot get a passport from.
Mr Law added that he went through the immigration channels like other arriving passengers at Changi Airport, and had expected to enter Singapore without a hitch because he had a visa, but was detained when attempting to clear immigration.
The MHA spokesman said: “A visa holder is still subject to further checks at point of entry into the country. That is what happened with Nathan Law.”
Mr Law said he was not given a reason for his detention, during which he was moved to a holding cell. He spent 14 hours in Singapore before being put on a San Francisco-bound flight.
He added that he has always been careful about the countries he visits.
Before arriving in Singapore, Mr Law was in the US. He was invited to speak at Arizona State University at a screening of the Emmy-nominated documentary Who’s Afraid Of Nathan Law? on Sept 25.
When asked about the incident at a regular press conference, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said every country has the right to independently manage its immigration processes.
He also referred to Mr Law as an anti-China and destabilising force in Hong Kong who is wanted by Hong Kong’s police.
Mr Law, 32, was one of the leaders of the 2014 Occupy movement in Hong Kong, helping lead hundreds of thousands of protesters for over two months.
He has been based in Britain since obtaining political asylum in 2021
He is one of eight people wanted by the Hong Kong authorities for national security offences, with a HK$1 million (S$166,000) cash reward for information that can lead to his arrest.
Hong Kong has an extradition treaty with Singapore.
