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| Inspector Lam of Yuen Long Police gives press briefing on arrests (RTHK photo) |
Hong Kong Police said today, Friday, that they have arrested 11 foreign domestic helpers on suspicion of performing illegal abortion, including a 32-year-old who allegedly supplied the illegal drugs for the procedure.
Their nationalities were not
disclosed.
The case unraveled after a 39-year-old helper collapsed at her employer’s home in Tin Shui Wai on June 2, and blood stains were found on her lower body.
Paramedics discovered a 35-centimeter
fetus in a laundry basket near the woman’s bed. Tests showed the fetus must
have been 28 weeks old.
After police were called, a
positive pregnancy test and abortion drug packaging were also found in the
helper’s room.
Investigators learned she had
bought the medicine in May from the 32-year-old helper, who had also sold the
medicine to other women. It’s believed she had bought the abortion pills from abroad.
“Further investigation revealed that this
32-year-old woman had sold similar suspected abortion drugs to other foreign
domestic helpers between May 2024 and May 2025 for abortion,” said inspector
Lam Ho-yin from Yuen Long District Crime Squad.
Lam added that following the
investigation, nine other women FDHs aged between 30 and 46 were arrested in
various districts for administering the illicit drugs to induce abortion.
Five of those arrested have
been charged, five others were released on police bail pending further
investigation, while one remained in police custody.
Police said more people could
be arrested in relation to the case.
Lam reminded the public that buying or
taking pills for abortion is a serious crime that could lead to the offender
being jailed.
As for women dealing with
unwanted pregnancy, he said they should consult a registered doctor to get help
in assessing the risk and understand the side effects of any medication.
“Do not blindly trust
information online and take medications without the consultation with a
registered medical practitioner,” Lam said.
He added that while abortion
is legal in some countries, in Hong Kong the supply or use of drugs to induce
abortion is a crime.
