Democratic leaders arrested over unlawful anti-bill assemblies

Fourteen Hong Kong democratic activists have been arrested for allegedly participating in anti-government protests last year.

The arrestees included Next Media Group's founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, former legislators Martin Lee Chu-ming, Albert Ho Chun-yan, Lee Chuek-yan, “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung and Au Nok-hin, who also faced another charge of police assault last July.

Officers earlier appeared at Lai's residency in Ho Man Tin, but he was not there at the time. He returned in the afternoon and was arrested at 3pm. 

Other arrested were former lawmakers Yeung Sum and Cyd Ho Sau-lan, chairman of League of Social Democrats Avery Ng Man-yuen, vice-chairman Raphael Wong Ho-ming, vice-convener of Civil Human Rights Figo Chan Ho-wun, activist Sin Chung Kai.

Another former ex-legislator Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee showed up at the Central police station this afternoon and was arrested there in association with the August 18 rally. Police showed up at Ng's home earlier but she was not there at the time. 

Police said all of them were detained in relation to organizing and taking part in unlawful protests against the now-shelved extradition bill on August 18, October 1 and October 20.

Five of them were further accused of joining unauthorised demonstrations on September 30 and October 19.

Superintendent Lam Wing-ho said the arrests are still continuing. The arrestees will face a trial at Eastern Magistracy on May 18.

“We will not eliminate the possibility of making more arrests in the future,” said Lam. 

"We will investigate anyone who allegedly violates the laws. We will make arrests and prosecute when there's adequate evidence," added Lam, who did not said what was considered as "adequate evidence".

Democratic Party leader Wu Chi-wai condemned the authorities for “opening fire on Hong Kong”.

Wu said the mass arrest was an attempt to create a chilling effect on Hong Kong people, and believes it is no coincidence that the move came following the Liaison Office's repeated stress on the need for the SAR government to enact the national security law. 

"They are opening fire on everybody in Hong Kong to ensure that Hong Kong is under their control, in particular they are talking about the enactment of Article 23," Wu said.
Wu said the pan-democrats would resist and fight back. 

Civic Party legislator Alvin Yeung said the authorities were “settling accounts” when the Legco's Finance Committee was scrutinizing the anti-epidemic funds.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers, on the other hand, refused accusations that the arrest was political. 

New People Party's Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said every resident should be equal before the law, “there is no privilege or immunity even though you are a celebrity, media boss, lawmaker or former lawmaker,” said Ip. 

On February 28, Lai, Lee and Yeung were charged over joining an unauthorized assembly on August 31, as the city was gripped by months-long protests. 

Lai faced another count of intimating a reporter from Oriental Daily newspaper in 2017. 

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