Man Charged with Assisting Hong Kong Intelligence Services in the UK Found Dead in Unexplained Circumstances
Matthew Trickett, 37, one of three men charged earlier this month with assisting Hong Kong intelligence services in the U.K., has died under unexplained circumstances, British police announced Tuesday. Trickett, along with Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, was accused of engaging in information gathering, surveillance, and acts of deception to aid the Hong Kong intelligence service from late 2023 to May 2. They also allegedly forced entry into a U.K. residence on May 1.
Trickett, a former Royal Marine and Home Office immigration enforcement officer, was found dead in a park in Maidenhead on Sunday afternoon. Thames Valley Police are treating the death as unexplained and continue to investigate.
The three men were bailed and scheduled for a court hearing at London’s Central Criminal Court on Friday, where they had yet to enter pleas.
The incident occurs amidst rising tensions between Britain and China, with recent accusations from U.K. officials regarding Chinese espionage activities. Hong Kong authorities have demanded full details on the charges and protection for the office manager of their London trade office, as the spying charges add to the strain between the two nations.
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