Arrests are a propaganda coup for pan-dems
- Opposition claims persecution but it knows the high-profile arrests will only help galvanise activists against the Hong Kong government and Beijing as well as favour anti-government candidates in the September Legislative Council election
But if we still believe in the rule of law, the real question should be, what has taken the police so long rather than why they should be arrested? They took part in and/or allegedly helped organise anti-government protests without police approval in August and/or October that subsequently turned violent. It seems, at least prima facie, that they have committed an offence or two. Nor, it seems, would they deny participating in unlawful rallies.
Rather, as Lee told reporters, he felt “very proud to be finally listed as a defendant after seeing so many brilliant young people arrested and charged, we’d be pursuing democracy together”. This is the real point. The high-profile arrests are a propaganda coup for the opposition.
Hong Kong police chief defends protest arrests as opposition camp cries foul
Given the offences, even if convicted, many of them would not face a custodial sentence or at most be given a short jail term. Such “punishment” would be singularly ineffective as deterrent or persecution. It would, however, give many of them “street credibility” as they have never been convicted or jailed.
The opposition and some government critics claim that the arrests were politically motivated and that it was an attempt to scare people from running for the pan-democratic camp or voting for it in the September Legislative Council election. After all, the activists were all rounded up after three political offices of the central government had come out to criticise the opposition and its filibustering tactics in Legco.
Opposition politicians know the opposite is true: the arrests will help advertise for their cause while galvanising the anti-government movement as it has stalled in recent months because of the Covid-19 outbreak. It is, in fact, the perfect propaganda gift.
Beijing and the Hong Kong government know that too. If they were playing politics, they would not want the police to make the arrests. Most likely, police couldn’t just sit on the overwhelming evidence and do nothing.
Commissioner of Police Chris Tang Ping-keung said: “Some friends warned me to stay cautious as the media would keep smearing the police and particularly me. I don’t care. I arrest whoever breaks the law.” Police may be the only ones not playing politics.
