Thai authorities have arrested a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist wanted by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities, raising concerns among rights groups over her possible deportation to China despite her holding United Nations refugee documents.
Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said on social media on Saturday that Zhang Xinyen, a member of the Hong Kong Parliament group in exile, had been detained in Thailand.
“Urgent! Another refugee arrested!”, Mr Sunai wrote, alleging the government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had detained Ms Zhang, who is sought by Hong Kong and Chinese authorities on national security charges.
He said Hong Kong authorities had revoked her passport and announced a HK$200,000 (about 930,000 baht) bounty for her arrest.
Mr Sunai warned that any forced return to China could put her at serious risk and violate international law as well as Thailand’s law on the prevention of torture and enforced disappearance.
According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), Ms Zhang holds documents issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Bangkok. She was arrested on charges of overstaying her visa and working without a permit and was to appear in court on Sunday.