Former UK Soldier Charged with Spying for Hong Kong Found Dead in Park

Matthew Trickett, a former Royal Marine charged with aiding Hong Kong intelligence services, was found dead in a park in Maidenhead, Berkshire, on Sunday. The 37-year-old was recently arrested under the UK’s National Security Act and was granted bail on May 13.

Trickett’s death is currently being treated as unexplained, with an investigation ongoing. Thames Valley Police responded to a report from a member of the public and found Trickett unresponsive in Grenfell Park. Despite emergency treatment, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Trickett, who had also worked as a Home Office immigration officer and was the director of a security consultancy, was due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday. He was charged alongside Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, with espionage-related offences, including information gathering and surveillance likely to assist a foreign intelligence service. Yuen is confirmed to be the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.

Trickett’s lawyer, Julian Hayes, expressed shock at the news and offered support to Trickett’s family. In a statement, the family said they were mourning “the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family man” and requested privacy.

The charges against Trickett and the other two men come amid rising tensions between the UK and China. British officials have recently highlighted security threats from Beijing, including cyberattacks. In response to the charges, the Chinese government dismissed the UK’s accusations as “groundless and slanderous.”

Trickett’s case has drawn significant attention, especially after it was revealed he had attempted to take his own life following his initial charge. Despite this, a prosecutor’s request to keep him in custody for his welfare was denied, and he was released on bail with conditions to report to a police station regularly.

Given the circumstances of his death, Thames Valley Police have referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has decided that the investigation should be handled by the Thames Valley Police’s Professional Standards Department.

Authorities are urging anyone who was in Grenfell Park on Sunday afternoon and may have information to come forward.

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