Hong Kong targets activist in Melbourne with bounty

The Australian government is concerned about a "wanted" letter that has surfaced in Melbourne, calling for information about activist Kevin Yam. The letter offers $200,000 for anyone who can help locate him. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is raising these issues with Chinese authorities. She stated that the targeting of Australian citizens by Hong Kong officials is "deeply worrying" and unacceptable. Wong's office emphasized that Australia's sovereignty and the safety of its citizens must be protected against such actions. The letter, which appeared recently, identifies Kevin Yam, a pro-democracy activist based in Australia, as a “wanted person.” It alleges he committed several national security offenses and includes specific addresses linked to him. Wong’s office has urged anyone feeling unsafe to contact the police or report foreign interference. The letter claims that Yam, who left Hong Kong in April 2022, is wanted under an arrest warrant issued in his home city. This recent development follows previous rewards offered by Hong Kong authorities for information leading to Yam's arrest. Yam has previously criticized Australian MPs for visiting China, calling their trip a propaganda effort. He has not yet commented on the letter.