National security law: police take DNA samples from arrested protesters and their lawyer wants to know why

Name: What you should know about China's new national security law for Hong Kong
Uploaded: 2020-07-04T11:30:23.000Z
Duration: 5 min 50 s
Description: What you should know about China's new national security law for Hong Kong

While police can collect the data even without consent, the step is normally taken only for much more serious crimes, legal counsel says

But barrister not involved in the case suggests authorities have used such evidence to investigate unsolved crimes

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Anti-government protesters wave flags outside the Times Square shopping mall in Causeway Bay on July 1. Photo: May Tse

Kanis Leung

Published: 7:30pm, 4 Jul 2020Updated: 1:17am, 5 Jul 2020

Hong Kong police confirmed they collected DNA samples from 10 people arrested over the new national security law on July 1, sparking debate on whether the practice was necessary in cases centred on protesting.

Taking genetic samples from suspects is most commonly used to investigate offences such as rape or serious assault, according to a lawyer for several of the detained.

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu offered assurances officers acted lawfully. “When police officers are investigating a criminal case and they think collecting some samples will be helpful for investigating the cases, as well as will provide evidence to prove some crimes, then they can exercise such power,” Lee said after a radio show on Saturday.

In a reply to the Post, a force spokesman said the 10 people were detained for inciting commission of subversion. They can be jailed for up to 10 years if found guilty.

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What you should know about China's new national security law for Hong Kong

The collection of non-intimate DNA samples, referring to saliva and hair, is allowed under the Police Force Ordinance.