HONG KONG – Jailed dissident Joshua Wong today joined the ranks of Hong Kong democracy figures arrested under a new security law as the United States threatened fresh sanctions in response to Beijing’s mounting crackdown in the finance hub.
More than 1,000 police officers detained 53 prominent figures – including a US citizen – in dawn raids yesterday on charges of “subversion”, a new national security crime that carries up to life in prison.
The sweep was the latest salvo in Beijing’s battle to stamp out dissent in the semi-autonomous city after millions hit the streets in 2019 with huge democracy protests that descended into violence due to policing.
A senior police source told AFP that Wong – who is currently behind bars – was arrested on a new charge of subversion, the first time he has been detained under the new national security law.
The 24-year-old is one of the city’s most recognisable democracy advocates and is currently serving a jail sentence for his role in organising democracy protests.
Local media reported Tam Tak-chi, another activist currently in custody on a sedition charge, was also arrested for subversion this morning.
The alleged offence of those arrested for subversion was to organise an unofficial primary last summer to decide who would stand as candidates for the city’s partially-elected legislature in the hopes they might take a majority for the first time.
Many of those candidates were ultimately disqualified from standing and authorities scrapped the election because of the coronavirus.
But Chinese and Hong Kong officials have labelled the primary as an attempt to “overthrow” and “paralyse” the city’s government and therefore a threat to national security.
Analysts say it is a new watershed moment for the semi-autonomous city.
Those detained are a broad cross-section of Hong Kong’s opposition, from veteran former pro-democracy lawmakers such as James To, Andrew Wan, Lam Cheuk-ting and Claudia Mo to a host of younger activists.
John Clancey, an American national and long term Hong Kong resident who worked at a prominent human rights law firm, was also arrested for subversion.
Hong Kong police can hold anyone arrested for up to 48 hours before they must be presented in court.
A senior police source told AFP today that most of those arrested were expected to initially be released on bail later in the day, rather than charged.
Those charged with national security crimes are not usually granted bail.
The national security law was imposed on Hong Kong in late June in response to the 2019 protests, targeting acts Beijing deems to be secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. – AFP, January 7, 2021
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