Three men have been charged under the National Security Law for allegedly assisting Hong Kong’s intelligence service and foreign interference, the Metropolitan Police said.
Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, from Staines-upon-Thames, Matthew Trickett, 37, from Maidenhead, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, from Hackney, have each been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, in violation of section 3(1) and (9) of the National Security Law of 2023.
They have also been charged with foreign interference, in contravention of Articles 13 (2) and (7) of the National Security Law of 2023.
The Met said the foreign intelligence service “is that of Hong Kong.”
An investigation continues led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command with support from colleagues from the North East and South East Counter Terrorism Police Units.
All three men will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the investigation is not related to Russia and that a total of 11 people were detained by police.
Eight men and one woman were arrested by counter-terrorism police officers on May 1 in the Yorkshire area.
The next day, two more men were arrested: one in Yorkshire and another in London.
The seven men and one woman who were not charged were released on or before May 10.
The three men have been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and foreign interference.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This operation is not related to a recently reported counter-terrorism police investigation linked to Russia.
‘A number of arrests and searches were made across England as part of this investigation. Although directed from London, the Counter Terrorism Police network has been crucial in disrupting this activity and we have worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service since the start of the investigation.
‘While these crimes are worrying, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there is any major threat to them. “This investigation is ongoing, but now that charges have been filed, I urge people not to speculate or comment further regarding this case.”