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    Hong Kong activist flees to UK citing ‘stringent surveillance’ by national security police following his prison release

    Simon Cheng, a former employee at the British consulate in Hong Kong, fled the Chinese territory and sought asylum in Britain this week after describing his terrifying interrogation in detention by mainland security police following his release from prison last year. Cheng, a former British consulate worker in Hong Kong, was arrested while on a business trip to neighboring Shenzhen in August 2019. He was held for 15 days on alleged “suspicion of soliciting prostitutes” and was released once he completed his administrative punishment, as he accepted a guilty plea and acknowledged sex-related offenses. However, since his release, Cheng has been living under what he called “stringent surveillance” — constantly monitored by mainland security police. The surveillance, Cheng said, “became unbearable and frightening” and was the main reason he decided to flee to Britain. In an interview with The Times of London on Thursday, Cheng said the security police were conducting sweeps to monitor him when he left his house and when he was in the office. He also said they were tapping his phone calls and social media messages. Cheng has also expressed concern that the vetting process of the Hong Kong police force has been used for political control rather than public protection. The UK government is currently considering providing safe passage and potential asylum to Cheng. The UK home office says that anyone coming to the UK should have a “well-founded fear of persecution” in order to be considered for asylum. Cheng’s case is set to be heard in the near future.