Image copyright
fake pictures
Chung was the former leader of a group that called for Hong Kong to become independent.
Four students were arrested in Hong Kong in the first police operation to enforce China’s new national security law for the territory.
The four were detained for “incitement to secession” on social media after the new law began on July 1, police said.
A pro-independence group said those arrested included their former leader, Tony Chung.
Beijing’s controversial new law criminalizes subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign forces.
Previous arrests were made under the new law for slogans and banners at the protests.
- Why are people afraid of the new Hong Kong law?
- China’s new law: why is Hong Kong concerned?
Critics say China’s new law erodes Hong Kong’s freedoms. But Beijing rejected criticism, saying the law is necessary to stop the kind of pro-democracy protests that were seen in Hong Kong for much of 2019.
What do we know about arrests?
Three men and a woman aged 16-21 were arrested on suspicion of organizing and inciting secession, police said.
“Our sources and research show that the group recently announced on social media to establish [sic] an organization that advocates for Hong Kong independence, “said Li Kwai-wah of the new national security unit within the Hong Kong police.
Computers, phones and documents were also seized, he said.
The students were former members or had ties to the Studentlocalism, a youth independence group. It was dissolved in June before the new security law went into effect and said it would continue to campaign from abroad.
But Mr. Li said the overseas activity could still be processed.
“If someone who tells others he advocates violating national security law from abroad, even if he does so from abroad, we have the jurisdiction to investigate such cases,” he said.
Photos posted on social media showed that Chung was taken in handcuffs in Yuen Long District.
Studentlocalism said that Mr. Chung was detained at approximately 8:50 pm local time (12:50 GMT). Police officers also took items in various bags, the group said.
Prominent human rights activist Joshua Wong said that Chung had been followed by the police for several days. He said Chung had been arrested for writing a Facebook post on “China’s nationalism” and alleged that the detainees’ phones had been hacked shortly after his arrest.
“Tonight’s arrest will clearly send a chilling effect on HK’s online speech,” Wong tweeted.
Media playback is not supported on your device
What is the new security law?
- It is powerful, making inciting hatred towards the central government of China and the regional government of Hong Kong illegal.
- It allows closed-door trials, wiretapping of suspects, and the possibility of suspects being tried on the mainland
- A wide range of acts, including damage to public transportation facilities, can be considered terrorism
- Internet providers may have to hand over data if requested by police
What has been the reaction to the law?
Authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China insist that the security law will not affect freedom of expression and is necessary to quell successive waves of unrest in the city.
But critics say it undermines the freedoms that set Hong Kong apart from the rest of China and help define its character.
The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong since the new law was enacted. Meanwhile, the United States decided to rescind Hong Kong’s special trade privileges.
In recent years, Hong Kong has seen a series of protests demanding more rights. In 2019, protests over a now scrapped bill allowing extraditions to the continent turned violent and fueled a broad pro-democracy movement.
Media playback is not supported on your device
