Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy activists in widening crackdown
Hong Kong police have arrested eight activists, including three ex-lawmakers, over their role in a July pro-democracy protest.
The arrests come as authorities continue a crackdown on dissent under a new controversial security law imposed by Beijing. The law aims to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with punishments of up to life in prison.
The police did not identify the people, but local media said that the ex-lawmakers who were arrested are Wu Chi-wai, the former chief of Hong Kong’s Democratic party, Eddie Chu and Leun Kwok Hung.
The arrests came after the US on Monday sanctioned 14 top Chinese officials over their role in disqualifying pro-democracy politicians from Hong Kong’s legislature last month. Beijing has condemned the move, calling it the product of “double standards”.
A number of activists have been recently arrested and some jailed under the law. Notably, leading dissident Joshua Wong and two other major figures in the activist scene were sent to prison last week over their involvement in a 2019 rally outside police headquarters.
The activists could face a punishment of five years in prison.
