An elderly Hong Kong man known for launching legal challenges against government policies has been released on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of defrauding welfare benefits.
Veteran litigant Kwok Cheuk-kin, better known as the “king of judicial reviews,” was arrested in Cheung Chau on Thursday on suspicion of fraud, police said in a statement later that day.
The 85-year-old was accused of making false statements and providing false information between 2013 and 2022 to withhold information regarding his personal income and assets. Police alleged Kwok had fraudulently accessed government subsidies and welfare benefits, including public housing subsidies, an old-age living allowance, comprehensive social security assistance, and legal aid.
Police said anyone who obtained benefits through deceptive means or caused disadvantage to others, including government departments, may be in violation of the Theft Ordinance. The offence of fraud is punishable by up to 14 years of imprisonment.
“Citizens should not test the law,” the Chinese statement from the police read.
Kwok filed many judicial reviews against the government over the years. One of the most recent challenges was lodged last November, when he sought to challenge the nomination system of the all-patriots District Council race. He had argued that the requirement for candidates to receive at least three nominations from government-appointed local committees was unconstitutional. The High Court eventually ruled in favour of the government.
Judicial reviews are considered by the Court of First Instance and examine the decision-making processes of administrative bodies. Issues under review must be shown to affect the wider public interest.
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