Former Hong Kong lawmakers among eight opposition activists arrested over illegal assembly
- Eddie Chu, Wu Chi-wai and ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung among those detained
- Early morning operation targeted those who took part in annual protest march on July 1
Police confirmed the arrest of eight men, aged between 24 and 64, on suspicion of violating the Public Order Ordinance, including former legislators Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, Wu Chi-wai and “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung.
Following their release on bail later in the day, the activists vowed to remain defiant despite the crackdown, accusing police of retaliating against them for sanctions levelled by the United States against 14 top officials in China’s legislature the night before.
Chan told officers his arrest was “shameful political suppression”.
At around the same time, Leung was also taken into custody at his home, according to his party, the League of Social Democrats.
“Long live freedom of assembly; civil disobedience is not a crime,” he said as he was being put into a police car.
Outgoing British envoy warns of ‘stifling dissent’ in Hong Kong
Leung was arrested along with party colleagues Chan, Tang Sai-lai and Eastern district councillor Bull Tsang King-shing. Andy Chui and Lancelot Chan Wing-tai, also councillors for the district, were detained as well.
The three Eastern district councillors, Wu and Figo Chan were among the activists who gathered outside the Court of Final Appeal on June 30 – the day the sweeping national security law was implemented – allegedly to mobilise residents to take part in a mass protest the following day, according to police.
On July 1, large crowds took to the streets of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay despite being refused police permission to hold a rally. The arrestees, excluding Tsang and Lancelot Chan, were accused of organising an unlawful assembly and taking part themselves.
Tsang and Lancelot Chan, along with Figo Chan, Wu and Chui, were accused of inciting others to take part in an unlawful assembly.
All eight will have to appear in court on December 17.
First person charged under security law remanded after being denied bail
At her weekly press briefing, Lam was asked whether the government had targeted dissent and opposition activists over the past two days.
“Those arrested recently seem to have a shield once they have been regarded as ‘pro-democracy activists’ by foreign governments, so law enforcement should not touch them. This is not a rule-of-law spirit in society,” she said.
“Not a single corner in Hong Kong is a lawless place. With these principles, the police force will continue to safeguard Hong Kong’s public order and the rule of law.”
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In a statement, the League of Social Democrats accused police of “creating a chilling effect” and retaliating against them for the latest round of US sanctions.
Figo Chan said police were suppressing the constitutional freedoms of assembly and demonstration, and vowed not to back down.
“I urge more Hongkongers to do whatever they can to resist the suppression,” he said.
“The regime deployed severe penalties to silence dissent and hijack the views of the whole society,” it said. “We will continue to walk with Hongkongers amid the cold winter of human rights.”
US sanctions Chinese legislators for national security law on Hong Kong
Police had rejected an application by organisers to hold the July 1 march this year for the first time since 2003, citing the risk of violence and social-distancing rules.
But on the day, thousands of protesters openly defied the ban to protest against the national security law.
Police fired tear gas and pepper balls to disperse crowds who blocked roads, as more radical protesters set fires, vandalised shops and dug up bricks.
About 370 people were detained, mainly for taking part in an illegal assembly, disorderly conduct and possession of offensive weapons.
