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Hong Kong Police Arrest 4 for Alleged National Security Breach Under New Law

VOA News

   HONG KONG - Four young activists who belonged to a disbanded
   pro-independence group have been arrested on secessionist charges in
   Hong Kong's first crackdown on political figures after the enactment
   July 1 of a sweeping national security law.

   Senior Superintendent Li Kwai-wah, with Hong Kong police's newly formed
   National Security Department, told reporters late Wednesday that four
   students between the ages of 16 and 21 had been arrested under the new
   national security law for "organizing and inciting secession" by their
   advocacy of independence.

   He declined to name them and their group, but the group Studentlocalism
   announced on social media that its former convenor, Tony Chung, 19, had
   been arrested Wednesday night for "inciting secession." Activists said
   at least two other former group members also had been arrested about
   the same time.

   The arrests were the most high-profile crackdown on political figures
   since the introduction of the new security law. Ten protesters were
   arrested that day on national security charges.

   'Hong Kong nation'

   Li accused the group of announcing online the establishment of a new
   group to advocate for the establishment of a "Hong Kong nation," as
   well as its declaration that it would use all means to achieve this
   end. He also alleged that the group was trying to "unite all
   pro-independence groups in Hong Kong" and "incite others to join them."

   Li said mobile phones, computers and documents had been seized from the
   arrested activists' homes. He said the police could take DNA samples
   from them if necessary.

   Citing clauses 36 to 38 of the national security law, Li emphasized
   that people also could be charged with criminal enterprises for
   "national security crimes" committed elsewhere in the world.

   "We have jurisdiction even if the propaganda takes place abroad," he
   said.

   Studentlocalism announced its closure on the eve of the enactment of
   the national security law on July 1, but it also announced 10 days ago
   the establishment of its U.S. division. On its Twitter account, the
   group called on its supporters to join in, and it posted an online
   recruitment form.

   Manifesto

   Its manifesto on Twitter says one of its missions is to "establish a
   Hong Kong republic with independent sovereignty" and "awaken the will
   of Hong Kong's national independence."

   Li said the arrestees were suspected of violating both Article 20 and
   21 of the national security law, which criminalizes secessionist acts
   and incitement of others to commit such offenses.

   In a video footage posted online, a plainclothes police officer,
   purportedly from the national security department, can be seen
   escorting Chung, who has his hands tied behind his back, to a vehicle.

   Local media said it was the first time that officers from the police
   force's new national security department had made an arrest under the
   security legislation.

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