Hong Kong activist Nathan Law denied entry into S'pore, presence 'not in S'pore's national interest': MHA

Political activist Nathan Law, who is wanted by Hong Kong's police, was denied entry into Singapore on Sep. 27 despite having a valid visa.

His presence would not be in Singapore's national interest, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said of the entry refusal.

The 32-year-old, who is wanted by the Hong Kong government for his role in the 2019 Hong Kong protests, was in Singapore to attend a "closed-door, invitation-only" conference, BBC reported.

Visa holders still subject to checks: MHA

Responding to queries from Mothership, MHA said that Law had arrived at Singapore's Changi Airport from San Francisco on Sep. 27.

There, he was referred for questioning, immigration and security assessment.

He was subsequently refused entry and placed on the earliest flight back to San Francisco on Sep. 28.

"Law had fled from Hong Kong in 2020, and the Hong Kong Police had issued a warrant of arrest against him for offences under their National Security Law," MHA explained.

"Law's entry into Singapore and presence in the country would not be in Singapore's national interest," the ministry added.

On Law's valid visa, MHA commented: "A visa holder is still subject to further checks at point of entry into the country. This is what happened with Nathan Law."

Detained for four hours

BBC reported on Sep. 29 that Law was detained for four hours on arrival in Singapore.

"I was not asked questions and they did not give reason for the denial," Law told BBC.

The Straits Times (ST) reported that Law had obtained a single-entry, short-term visa before his travels and had undergone immigration procedures just like other arriving passengers.

The visa gave Law the impression that he would be able to enter Singapore smoothly.

Law had been in San Francisco for a screening and dialogue at Arizona State University on a biography about him, titled "Who's Afraid Of Nathan Law?"

Law's brushes with Hong Kong's government

Law become the youngest person to win a legislative seat in Hong Kong's legislative council in 2016.

During the oath-taking ceremony, Law was one of four pro-democracy activists who used the occasion to protest China's influence, for which they were disqualified from office.

Prior to that, he was a student activist and one of the leaders of the 2014 Umbrella Movement which protested proposed electoral reforms in Hong Kong.

Law was thrown into jail for his role in the 2014 protests.

In more violent protests erupted in 2019, Law became wanted by the Hong Kong government, which prompted him to flee the country in 2020, CNN reported.

He was granted asylum in the UK and currently holds a UK refugee travel document, the BBC wrote.

Law's political activity has been described by Beijing as "anti-China", "vile", and having "endangered national security and seriously undermined Hong Kong's fundamental interests", South China Morning Post wrote.

Top image via Nathan Law / Facebook