Hong Kong, January 16 (ANI): At least four suspects were released on bail on Friday after being accused of helping Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors who tried to escape to Taiwan in wake of the draconian National Security Law imposed by Beijing.
South China Morning Post said that the eight men and three women (in total 11 arrests) were detained on suspicion of assisting offenders, a breach of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
The arrests made by the police also included that of Kowloon City district councillor and lawyer Daniel Wong Kwok-tung. He was arrested from his home at around 6 am on Thursday and taken to his councillor s office in Kowloon City as officers searched it.
China is becoming more assertive militarily (Image: GETTY)
It comes as tensions have remained hight between China and Canberra in recent months after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared an investigation must be made into the origins of Covid-19, which many saw as a jab at Beijing early on in the pandemic.
The two nations have also been locked in a trade battle with Beijing slapping sanctions and tariffs on Australian goods last year.
Australia’s condemnation of China also comes after Tam Yiu-chung, a pro-Beijing member of Hong Kong s legislature, has publicly challenged the territory’s right to continued judicial independence.
Four released after accused of helping HK activists newzealandstar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newzealandstar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The arrests came a week after a massive sweep by national security police that saw 53 people arrested for “subversion”, including every pro-democracy primary candidate for the postponed 2020 Legislative Council election.
Hong Kong Free Press
Among those rounded up was District Councillor Daniel Wong Kwok-tung. Officers arrived at his house at 6:10 am in the morning, according to his Facebook page. Wong is a lawyer and also the founder of Aegis, a pro-democracy restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan, known to employ Hongkongers.
The mother of documentary filmmaker Willis Ho was also arrested Monday morning at 6:15 am and taken to Tsuen Wan police station, according to her Facebook page. The arrest was made in relation to the case of the 12 Hong Kong fugitives, Ho’s statement read.
HK police arrest 11 for helping offenders By Gang Wen | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2021-01-15 16:03 Share CLOSE This Aug 21, 2019 photo shows the headquarters of the Hong Kong Police Force in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. [MAO SIQIAN / XINHUA]
HONG KONG - The national security unit of the Hong Kong Police Force confirmed on Thursday that it arrested 11 people on suspicion of helping offenders to flee the city.
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the police said they arrested eight men and three women, aged between 18 and 72 in various districts after an in-depth investigation. The arrested persons are being detained for further enquiries, the statement reads.