National security law: Hong Kong student arrested over independence calls at Chinese University protest
- Teen is accused of inciting secession at a protest during a graduation ceremony last November
- At least nine people have so far been arrested over the demonstration on the Sha Tin campus
A Chinese University student was arrested under the national security law on Thursday and accused of calling for Hong Kong independence during a graduation ceremony protest that drew strong criticism from Beijing.
At least nine people have so far been arrested on suspicion of threatening national security in relation to the on-campus demonstration last November.
The 19-year-old student, who studies philosophy at the university, was stopped and searched on the street by Police Tactical Unit officers, according to a source.
Officers arrested him for an alleged national security offence after a check of his identification revealed he was a wanted person. He was then taken to Sha Tin Police Station for questioning by the National Security Department.
“The Police Tactical Unit on Thursday arrested a 19-year-old local male in the New Territories during an anti-crime patrol for taking part in an unauthorised assembly and incitement to secession in the Chinese University of Hong Kong on November 19,” a police spokesman said.
“The National Security Department has taken over the investigation and the arrestee is being detained for further inquiries.”
The offence under the Beijing-decreed law, which also bans acts of subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The insider said the student was accused of chanting or displaying banners calling for revolution and the city’s independence.