Sixteen national security suspects who were placed on a wanted list last month for alleged subversion had new financial restrictions imposed on them in accordance with the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO).

The Secretary for Security exercised his powers under section 89 of the legislation to prohibit the suspects from dealing with funds or have any property dealings related to absconders.

Twelve of the suspects will also have their SAR passports revoked and some of them will be removed from their positions as company directors.

The suspects are among 19 people who have been accused of endangering national security by forming or taking part in a group called the "Hong Kong Parliament" – which has been deemed as a subversive organisation that aims to overturn the nation’s constitutional order.

"These lawless wanted criminals are hiding in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, China's Taiwan region, etc, and continue to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security,” a government spokesman said in a statement.

“They also intended to incite hatred through smear and slander against the Central Authorities and the HKSAR. We therefore have taken such measures to make a significant impact,” the spokesman added.

The police further issued a reminder to members of the public that it is an offence to make available any funds or other financial assets or economic resources to an absconder either directly or indirectly.

The Secretary for Security also instructed the police to sort out the relevant evidence for him to consider exercising powers under the SNSO to prohibit the operation of the "Hong Kong Parliament" and the "Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union" in the SAR.