Matthew Trickett, 37, Chi Leung Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, spoke only to confirm their identities during a brief appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
The charges—under the new National Security Act—follow an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s counter terrorism command which saw 11 people arrested earlier this month.
It is alleged Mr. Trickett, Mr. Wai, and Mr. Yuen between Dec. 20, 2023 and May 2, 2024, “agreed to undertake information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service.”
They are also accused of forcing entry into a UK residential address on May 1, “being reckless as to whether the prohibited conduct, or course of conduct of which it forms part, would have an interference effect.”
The Met said eight men and a woman were arrested by counter terrorism officers on May 1 in Yorkshire. The following day a ninth man was arrested in Yorkshire and another male was detained in London.
All 11 were interviewed at two police stations, one in central London and the other in the West Midlands.
The woman was then released and seven of the men were freed without charge on Friday.
On Monday morning the Met released a statement by Commander Dominic Murphy, head of counter terrorism command, who emphasised the operation was not connected to a recent investigation linked to Russia in which five people were arrested and charged.
Referring to Mr. Trickett, Mr. Wai, and Mr. Yuen, Mr. Murphy said, “The foreign intelligence service to which the above charges relate is that of Hong Kong.”
Police Say No ‘Wider Threat’ to Public
“While these offences are concerning, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them. This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought, I urge people not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case,” added Mr. Murphy.On Monday, Mr. Wai—who is also known as Peter Wai—appeared in the glass-fronted dock along with Mr. Trickett and Mr. Yuen.
Mr. Wai, who lives in Staines-upon-Thames, near London, was given conditional bail as was Mr. Trickett, who lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire, and Mr. Yuen, who lives in Hackney, east London.
District Judge Louisa Cieciora told them the conditions of bail included a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, a ban on international travel, reporting to their local police stations once a week, and a condition to inform the police of any electronic devices they used which can access the internet.
She adjourned the case until May 24, when they will appear at the Old Bailey for an administrative hearing.
They have not yet entered pleas to the charges and their trial almost certainly will not take place until the spring of 2025.
