EXCLUSIVE: UK-based Hong Kong activist Finn Lau says Wise restored his bank accounts after sudden closures
A Hong Kong pro-democracy activist based in the UK has said that three of his bank accounts with financial services provider Wise have been deactivated, including one for the daily operation of diaspora media outlet Points Media. Finn Lau, an activist, said on X last Friday that Wise had closed his three accounts on the […]
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Finn Lau revealed that three of his bank accounts with Wise, including one for the Points Media news outlet, were reactivated after the company received intervention from press freedom NGOs Reporters Without Borders and Hong Kong Watch. The reactivation was pending a final confirmation. Wise had closed the accounts citing internal policies and agreements with banking partners.
Points Media's account, used for operational expenses, was the only one in active use. Lau stated that the closure disrupted essential payments and access to financial records, as their statutory accounts and Company Tax Return were due later in the month. Wise declined to comment on the individual case due to disclosure prohibitions.
Four UK MPs, patrons of Hong Kong Watch, expressed concern and demanded clarification from Wise. Lau is wanted by Hong Kong police over national security allegations and his passport was cancelled by the Hong Kong government in 2024.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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