People Power radical arrested over Facebook post about 1967 riot leader's hearse

A leading member of a radical political group was arrested yesterday for suggesting online that the hearse carrying the body of a ringleader of the deadly 1967 leftist riots would be welcomed by "home-made pineapples" - a code that referred to bombs during the turmoil.

The group says the arrest, on suspicion that Tam Tak-chi "accessed a computer with dishonest intent", was politically motivated as he meant no harm.

Tam, 43, a member of the executive committee of People Power, was picked up by police at a restaurant in Central in the afternoon, after he wrapped up a street campaign against the government's proposal for political reform.

Tam recently posted on his Facebook page about the upcoming funeral of Yeung Kwong, a Beijing loyalist and director of the Anti-British Struggle Committee, which was the key organiser of the 1967 riots.

According to People Power, Tam's Facebook post, which has since been deleted, read: "Boxes with words 'home-made pineapples, keep away, comrades' written on them, laid down on the road as the hearse goes. Will that be a good match? When opened, something explosive, confetti cannons for parties ..."

Police yesterday said Tam had made a remark on a social media platform that "incited others to commit illegal acts". The force's cybersecurity and technology crime bureau was investigating