Jan 6, 2021
Former law professor Benny Tai, center, a key figure in Hong Kong s 2014 Occupy Central protests and also was one of the main organizers of the primaries, sits in a car after being arrested by police today in Hong Kong. Fifty-three Hong Kong pro-democracy figures were arrested by police today under a national security law, following their involvement in an unofficial primary election last year held to increase their chances of controlling the legislature, according to local media reports. (AP Photo/Apple Daily)
HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong police arrested 53 former lawmakers and democracy proponents today for allegedly violating the new national security law by participating in unofficial election primaries for the territory’s legislature last year.
US lawyer released in HK following mass detention
‘ABSURD’: Joshua Wong and Tam Tak-chi, both of whom are already in jail, were rearrested as part of mass arrests that a politician said were unrelated to national security
By Helen Davidson / The Guardian, Taipei
One of the 53 people arrested in Hong Kong on Wednesday, the American lawyer John Clancey, has been released without charge pending further inquiries.
Police were expected to begin releasing the remaining detainees yesterday, local media reported, after an unprecedented roundup of politicians, campaigners and activists over accusations that their holding of a democratic poll breached Hong Kong’s National Security Law imposed by Beijing.
Hong Kong detiene a 53 opositores bajo la polémica Ley de Seguridad china elexpresso.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from elexpresso.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Published Tuesday, January 5, 2021 11:11PM EST Last Updated Wednesday, January 6, 2021 10:36AM EST Hong Kong police arrested 53 former lawmakers and democracy proponents Wednesday for allegedly violating the new national security law by participating in unofficial election primaries for the territory s legislature last year. The mass arrests were the largest move against Hong Kong s democracy movement since the law was imposed by Beijing last June to quell dissent in the semi-autonomous territory. “The operation today targets the active elements who are suspected to be involved in the crime of overthrowing, or interfering (in) . the Hong Kong government s legal execution of duties,” Hong Kong s security minister, John Lee, said at a news conference.