Hong Kong protests: 4 arrested over Facebook, Telegram calls for violent ‘Christmas Eve revolution’
- Suspects said to have used social media to encourage others to occupy roads, raid shops and attack police officers in Hong Kong
- Incitement offences they are accused of relate to causing grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and unauthorised assemblies
Police have arrested four Hongkongers on suspicion of trying to start a “Christmas Eve revolution” through violence.
The local men aged 22 to 52 were accused of inciting others on Facebook and Telegram to gather on the streets illegally and commit violent acts, a police source said.
Among the phrases they used were “revolution requires all people to experience” and “lone wolf turning into a pack of wolves”, Tai said.
The individuals also urged people to occupy roads, raid shops, attack police officers and develop ways of obstructing law enforcement, he added.
The four were arrested on Thursday in Tin Shui Wai, Sha Tin, Yuen Long and Yau Ma Tei.
They are accused of incitement offences relating to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and taking part in an unauthorised assembly.
The source said those detained seemed to have no connections with each other. Four mobile telephones were seized during the arrests.
They were held as part of the investigation but no charges had been laid. Police said the operation was ongoing and further arrests were possible.
