Two men have been arrested for their alleged roles in handling financial transactions linked to a wanted national security suspect, violating section 90 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

A 68-year-old was charged with "attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder", and appeared in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The other suspect, 35, was released on police bail.

Sources said the pair are the father and elder brother of Anna Kwok, a wanted fugitive.

Sources said the father had met Kwok overseas and attempted to withdraw cash from her insurance account on her behalf upon returning to Hong Kong. The brother is understood to work at the insurance company and alleged to have helped manage Kwok's assets in Hong Kong.

It marks the first time the police have applied the law's provisions targeting the handling of funds belonging to fugitives, RTHK understood.

Anyone found guilty of handling funds belonging to an absconder faces up to seven years of imprisonment on first conviction.

Kwok has been wanted by Hong Kong authorities since July 2023 and is among seven people named by the secretary for security in December as “absconded fugitives”.