Hong Kong’s security minister on Wednesday cancelled the passports of six wanted overseas activists, using powers granted under the city’s national security law.

The move is seen as stepping up Hong Kong’s crackdown against dissidents who moved abroad.

Among them were former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, unionist Mung Siu-tat and activists Simon Cheng, Finn Lau, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. All of them are accused of endangering national security by authorities and the government has declared them to have “absconded” to the UK.

What this essentially means is that they will potentially be forced to move back home if they do not get refugee status… and, the giant in trade that China is, a lot of countries may be unwilling to stick their necks out for them.

Last year, police declared a bounty of HK$1m (£100,000) accusing them of offences under domestic national security law.

Besides cancelling their passports, the authorities have also banned anyone from providing funds or economic resources to the six, leasing properties to them or forming any joint venture with them, among other restrictions. Doing so without authorisation would carry a penalty of up to seven years in prison.

Yeah, they are not messing around.